Spinal arthritis, also known as facet disease, is inflammation of the joints in the spinal column due to natural degeneration of the cartilage that allows for smooth movement. This is generally an age-related condition that is nonreversible, but there are a wide range of effective treatment options up to and including surgery.

Not all cases of spinal arthritis will require surgery and it is usually only recommended in certain situations that have not responded to conservative treatment options. Spine surgery cannot cure or fully remove arthritis; the goal is typically to remove the portion of spinal anatomy, such as a bone spur or part of a calcified ligament, which is causing nerve compression. If you’re dealing with spinal arthritis symptoms that are interfering with your quality of life and are exploring treatment options, we’ve provided the following overview to help you be a more engaged and active patient.

Treatments to pursue before surgery

Upon diagnosing a patient with arthritis of the spine, doctors will first recommend a course of conservative treatment options to relieve symptoms, improve range of motion and promote long-term spinal health. Patients are very often able to manage their symptoms and engage in normal activities by working to find the right combination of treatments for their specific situation. Commonly recommended therapies include rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, hot and cold compression therapy and massage.

Arthritis of the spine surgery can become a serious consideration in the following situations:

• A specific operable condition that is causing nerve compression and/or spinal instability has been identified
• Symptoms are debilitating and causing a diminished quality of life
• Conservative treatments have been thoroughly attempted and exhausted

Arthritis of the spine surgery

Although arthritis of the spine surgery cannot reverse or fully remove this condition, it can sometimes be the best chance for achieving relief from chronic arthritis-related pain. As a safer and effective alternative to traditional open back procedures,^ USA Spine Care provides minimally invasive spine surgery that can treat a range of conditions, including spinal arthritis and bone spurs. One of our procedures is a facet thermal ablation, which is typically performed in conjunction with a minimally invasive decompression procedure and uses a laser to carefully deaden sensory nerves in an inflamed facet joint. To learn more about the advantages our outpatient procedures can offer, contact our caring and dedicated team today.

We can help you receive a free MRI review* to determine if you are a potential candidate for one of our procedures.