Spinal Arthritis

One of the more common forms of spinal arthritis would be osteoarthritis (OA). When you break down the meaning of the word you come up with its basic definition. “Osteo”, means pertaining to the bone, “artho” relates to joints and “itis” represents inflammation or burning.

OA of the spine is a chronic disease involving the sum of its parts; bones, joints, and inflammation. Your spine, especially your lumbar spine, supports a great deal of weight each and every minute of the day, which makes it considerably more susceptible to spinal arthritis. Osteoarthritis of the spine is marked by the destruction of joint cartilage, overgrowth of bone (spurs, stenosis) along with impaired function.

Osteoarthritis itself is the most frequent type of all joint disorder. X-rays reveal the first signs of OA (although without any symptoms) beginning as early as a person’s 20s and ’30s. Osteoarthritis becomes universal by age 70, with virtually no one escaping it on every level. Nearly all people by age 40 have some sort of discernable changes in the weight-bearing joints of their spine, although moderately few people have any symptoms at all. Men and women are proportionately affected, but the beginning of spinal arthritis is undeniably earlier in men.

This disease is practically inevitable for all living creatures, as a result of aging. It is also a major contributing factor and/or cause of severe chronic disability, affecting over 10% of the population over the age of 60.

Osteoarthritis occurs in almost all animals with vertebrae, which suggests that it first appeared with the arrival of the bony skeleton. OA occurred in ancient animals, fish, reptiles, birds, mammoths, whales, dolphins, and bears. The only mammals it is not seen in are bats and sloths, interestingly, animals that hang upside down.

Usually, symptoms start gradually and subtly and are often only affecting one or two joints or vertebras. Morning inflexibility, or stiffness, will usually be one of the first signs most people will notice. Typically, a little light stretching, or exercise will lessen the rigidity or mild pain that comes along with the stiffness. However, as spinal arthritis progresses, often time the exercise will make the symptoms worse.

The progression also brings about a reduced range of motion in the spine, which causes the ligaments to become relaxed. The domino effect then begins to build on itself. The joint becomes unstable; therefore, greater pain and other symptoms will be felt. Muscle spasms, and tenderness when being touched, and there is also an increase in venous pressure can be a source of pain. An x-ray is the most commonly used diagnostic test used to verify the already suspected Arthritis of the spine.