What can be done for arthritis in the spine?
How is spinal arthritis treated?
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids (pills or injections) to reduce pain and swelling.
- Other medications targeting specific symptoms or triggers of inflammatory arthritis.
- Physical therapy to improve back muscle strength and range of motion in the spine.
What are the different types of arthritis in the spine?
Types of Arthritis that Affect the Back
- Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is by far the most common form of back arthritis; risk increases with age.
- Spondyloarthritis.
- Axial Spondyloarthritis.
- Psoriatic Arthritis.
- Reactive Arthritis.
- Enteropathic Arthritis.
- Undifferentiated Spondyloarthritis.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis.
What happens when you have arthritis in your spine?
Osteoarthritis of the spine may cause stiffness or pain in the neck or back. It may also cause weakness or numbness in the legs or arms if it is severe enough to affect spinal nerves or the spinal cord itself. Usually, the back discomfort is relieved when the person is lying down.
Is spinal arthritis a disability?
If you have a spinal condition, such as arthritis of the spine, it can cause severe pain and limit your mobility. If arthritis in the spine has left you unable to work, you may qualify for disability benefits administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Is arthritis of the spine a disability?
If you have arthritis in the back or spine, it can cause severe pain and limit your mobility. Any kind of spinal condition can disrupt your ability to function on a daily basis. If you cannot work due to spinal arthritis, you may be able to qualify for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Can arthritis be removed from the spine?
Spine Fusion Surgery for Osteoarthritis For spinal arthritis, the only effective surgical treatment is |spine fusion surgery to stop the motion at the painful joint. Spinal fusion may also be referred to as “arthrodesis.”
What is the best medicine for arthritis in the back?
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are generally the first-line treatment for arthritis in the back. Tylenol (acetaminophen) and NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen can help temporarily relieve pain and inflammation in the joints.
How painful is arthritis in the spine?
Spinal arthritis causes stiffness and low back pain. The stiffness is worst upon waking up in the morning, tends to ease with activity, then worsens toward the end of the day. Presumably, this is because fluid has built up in the joint due to inactivity overnight, which causes more swelling.
Can arthritis in the spine be cured?
While treatment cannot cure spinal arthritis, the goal of treatment is to relieve pain, inflammation, stiffness and loss of joint mobility so that arthritis symptoms don’t interfere with everyday activities. Some treatments will vary depending on the type of arthritis you have.