If you are suffering from arthritis in your spine, you may often hear people refer to this condition as “osteoarthritis” or “arthritis of the spine.” That is because it is the most common form of arthritis, describing the natural degeneration of bone and joint cartilage in individuals above the age of 50. Less common types of arthritis in your spine include rheumatoid arthritis or spondyloarthritis.

This condition often develops from factors like weight gain, traumatic injury, genetics, smoking and participation in high-impact sports. Depending on the specific arthritis in your spine, symptoms of this condition can range from pain, tingling, numbness and weakness to joint deformity, stiffness, tenderness and fatigue.

That is why it is extremely important to consult your doctor immediately if you believe that you have developed this degenerative condition. He or she can get a detailed medical history, perform a physical exam and order medical imaging to obtain a concrete diagnosis and determine a treatment that would be effective for your spine care needs. To learn about the treatments that may be effective in relieving your pain and discomfort, read the following article.

Conservative treatments for arthritis of the spine

Although arthritis of the spine is not reversible, as it is degenerative in nature, there are treatments available to ease your symptoms and allow you to not only live but thrive with this chronic condition. Nonsurgical treatments for spinal arthritis include:

• Anti-inflammatories
• Physical therapy
• Chiropractic care
• Traction therapy
• Steroid injections

If several weeks or months of conservative care do not provide you with relief from your symptoms, you may require surgical intervention.

Surgical treatments for arthritis of the spine

In the event that you need surgery to treat your arthritis of the spine, contact USA Spine Care. Our minimally invasive spine surgery offers a safer and effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery as well as a shorter recovery period and a lower risk of complication.^ We have helped thousands of patients find relief from chronic neck and back pain each year and we look forward to helping you on the road to recovery.

At USA Spine Care, our small incisions and minimally invasive techniques have earned us a patient satisfaction score of 96 and a recommendation score of 97 out of 100.^ To ease arthritis in your spine, our board-certified+ surgeons can decompress the impacted nerve root in your spinal canal, thereby providing you with relief from your symptoms. To find out if you are a potential candidate for our outpatient surgery, reach out to our dedicated team today and ask for a free MRI review.*