Back Pain and Types of Arthritis

(Newswire.net — May 14, 2020) Darien, CT –Osteoarthritis is a common condition involving articular surfaces that can develop gradually over time into a debilitating condition, which causes pain and restriction of motion. Specifically, spine osteoarthritis is the presence of disc degeneration and osteophyte formation as well as pain. Facet joint arthritis is present in 19% of individuals between the ages of 45 and 65 years of age and 57% of patients over the age of 65 in the United States. The facet joint is where the bones meet to form a biomechanical arch, this is where weight is supported. With undue stress, the surface of the bone starts to wear out causing pain. Arthritis can affect any articular surface; it is more likely to affect weight-bearing joints, which includes the spinal column.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, degenerative disease. Low back pain and spine arthritis are among the leading health-related causes of disability and reduction in patients’ quality of life. Pathologically osteoarthritis can cause spinal stenosis, herniated nucleus pulposus, myelopathy, radiculopathy, spondyloarthritis, and spondylolisthesis. Also complicating the diagnosis is how radiographic imaging of spine osteoarthritis does not necessarily correlate with patients’ pain and thus leads to treatment options that may not improve symptoms.

Osteoarthritis is responsible for the breakdown of the cartilage (the tissue that cushions the ends of the bones between joints), bony changes of the joints, deterioration of tendons and ligaments, and various degrees of inflammation of the joint lining (called the synovium). Spinal arthritis is a degenerative process that develops over time in response to the stresses placed on the spinal joints. 

Arthritis is a general term that describes conditions that affect your joints. There are many types of arthritis besides osteoarthritis, here are a few of the more common ones. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that targets the joints of the spine. Reactive arthritis is a form of arthritis that occurs as a result of some bacterial infections. Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease. Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the joints and the places where tendons and ligaments connect to bone. Psoriatic arthritis can also cause inflammation of the eyes, such as Conjunctivitis and Iritis.

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. The treatment for these common types of arthritis is usually rest, ice, and NSAIDs. Lumbar osteoarthritis is a form of degenerative arthritis in the lower back that causes pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the joints between vertebrae. Arthritis is the most common cause of lower back pain, especially in people over age 50, and affecting approximately 27 million Americans. While osteoarthritis can damage any joint, the disease most often affects joints in your spine, hands, knees, and hips.

Chiropractic care can help take the stress off the arthritic joints by restoring biomechanical efficiency. When the joints are properly aligned the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and discs all work together to support the body’s weight effortlessly. You should consider chiropractic care if you have arthritis. Chiropractic treatment is natural and unlike NSAIDS has no dangerous side effects.