The term “arthritis” is used to describe a collection of conditions that occur when there is inflammation in joints and the connective tissue surrounding them. This inflammation can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the affected joints or even the spine. Arthritis of the spine, also known as osteoarthritis, is one of the most common spine conditions experienced by people over the age of 50.

As the spine wears down over time, the joints become susceptible to deteriorating, which could lead to the development of spinal arthritis. While age is one of the most common risk factors for developing arthritis of the spine, other factors can be avoided with the simple lifestyle changes described below to promote an improvement in overall spine health.

Risk factors for arthritis of the spine

The exact cause of arthritis is unknown. Research has shown that genetics may play a role in the onset of this disease. However, while your genes may determine whether you are at risk for arthritis, there are still some arthritis prevention steps you can take to help lessen the chance of developing this potentially debilitating condition.

These arthritis prevention steps include:

• Weight management
• A balanced diet
• Low-impact exercises
• Getting adequate rest
• Not smoking or abusing alcohol

Arthritis prevention tips such as these may not help you be able to completely avoid the pain and stiffness associated with this disease, but they will help your chance of avoiding the condition and improving the health of your spine. If arthritis symptoms occur, there are several treatment options available to help reduce your pain.

Arthritis treatment options

The first step to finding treatment for spinal arthritis is to schedule an appointment with your doctor to confirm your diagnosis. He or she will recommend a series of conservative treatments to help relieve the pain of arthritis in the spine. These treatments could include pain medication, physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic care and other nonsurgical treatments. Much like with arthritis prevention, exercising and leading a healthy lifestyle could also help manage the effects of arthritis.

Not all conservative treatment is successful, however. In some cases, surgery may be recommended if several weeks or months of conservative care have not provided lasting pain relief. If this is your situation, we encourage you to research the minimally invasive spine surgery at USA Spine Care. We offer a minimally invasive facet thermal ablation, which reduces the inflammation and swelling in the joints of the spine and deadens the nerves immediately around the arthritic joints to help prevent future pain.

Because of our minimally invasive approach to the spine, our procedures offer patients a safer and effective alternative to traditional open neck or back surgery.^ If you would like to learn more about spinal arthritis prevention, as well as treatment options for this condition, contact USA Spine Care today.

As the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, we have been able to help more than 75,000 patients find lasting relief from their chronic neck or back pain since 2005. To find out if you are a potential candidate for our arthritis surgery, reach out to our dedicated team today and ask for a free MRI review.*

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