Spinal Arthritis
Pertinent Facts about Spinal Arthritis
How will you know if you have spinal arthritis? Usually, the symptoms may include pain and stiffness in your joints. Not just specific to the spinal area, you may also experience:
Limited range of motion, with difficulty walking and bending
Numbness or weakness in arms or legs
A crunching feeling, like bone on bone
Tenderness or pain in heels, knees, hips or shoulders
Lower back pain that extends to pelvic area, thighs or buttocks, sciatica
Numbness, pain or tenderness in the neck
Spinal stiffness after sleep or activity, which may decrease after rest or exercise
Back pain that comes and goes
If you experience severe back pain, visit your doctor. He will ask you questions about the history of your pain. Tell him when your pain started, when it's worse or better, how long it lasts and what you've done to alleviate the pain. Notify your doctor, also, of any other health issues you have or have had in the past. Your physician will examine your back, and he may have you do a few exercises, so he can check your range of motion. Such exercises may include bending backwards, sideways or forward. He may also ask you to lie down and raise your legs. Tell your doctor if any of these causes pain.
Arthritis symptoms in the spine can be similar to other issues with the spine. Your doctor will need to rule out the other possibilities before being sure you have spinal arthritis. The doctor may have tests performed on you, such as:
X-ray - to see if there is any structural damage
Blood test - to determine the type of arthritis
Myelogram - to check for pressure on the spinal cord
Bone scan - to detect arthritis, if it is present. This test uses radioactive material injected into your body, that attaches itself to bone.
CAT scan - to show the size and shape of the spinal canal and the structures and contents surrounding it
MRI - to give the doctor a three-dimensional view of the various parts of the back, including the nerve roots and spinal cord
If your doctor diagnoses you with spinal arthritis, you do have treatment options available to you. There isn't a cure for arthritis, but you can treat the discomfort and pain using rest, heat/cold therapy, exercise, physical therapy and medications. You will work together with your doctor to set up a suitable treatment plan for your specific case. Arthritis doesn't mean an end to your active life. Many people who suffer from it continue to live productive and active lifestyles. You do need to learn about the disorder and how to manage your symptoms, so that it won't slow you down.