Osteoarthritis of the spine - A degenerative disease

While at present there is no proven treatment to either slow the progression or stop osteoarthritis of the spine, there are several treatment options available for alleviating pain as well as other associated symptoms. For most people who are suffering from spinal osteoarthritis, the condition will become unbearable provided they opt for timely spine treatment Atlanta. There are some patients suffering from this condition who have no or minimal pain, and might not require treatment.

Most patients suffering from spinal osteoarthritis benefit from a combination of lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, exercise and weight reduction. Most treatment plans related to osteoarthritis aim at controlling pain and improving the function of a patient’s body. Surgery is the last resort, and is suggested only in severe cases for treating disability as well as the pain of osteoarthritis of the spine. 

Spinal osteoarthritis and disc degeneration

Medical practitioners and healthcare professionals often refer to osteoarthritis of the spine as arthritis of the facet joints, spinal arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Spinal arthritis is a common condition and occurs in those above fifty years of age. It is an ongoing degenerative process which takes place in the spine. It can also be related to several other degenerative conditions associated with the spine. Particularly, spinal arthritis is related with degenerative discs in the spine.

Osteoarthritis and degenerative discs often occur hand in hand as facet joints and discs are both the similar part of three-joint complex. Often it is thought that degenerative disc can put pressure or stress on the facet joints, therefore, leading to the formation of osteoarthritis and degeneration in the facet joints, over the period of time. It is because of this reason that two degenerative conditions often occur together.   

If you have been observing back pain for a long time accompanied by tingling, numbness and weakness, then without delay consult a renowned orthopedic surgeon like Dr. Erik Bendiks and get started with the most effective treatment.

Spinal stenosis surgery in Atlanta – Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

While some people develop spinal stenosis as part of the degenerative condition, there are others who are born with congenital form.  Many people do not feel any pain or effects of the narrowing, however, with age, many people start noticing weakness, radiating pain as well as numbness just secondary to the compression of the spinal cord or nerves. Spinal stenosis surgery in Atlanta can help you overcome this condition provided you choose the right surgeon.

While narrowing of the spine might occur in different parts, the symptoms related to nerve compression are usually similar. It is because of this reason that specialists like Dr. Erik Bendiks perform tests for determining the location as well as the cause of the narrowing of the spine. This helps in providing the best treatment.  Lumbar stenosis occurs in the lower back while cervical stenosis occurs in the neck. Here you will get to know about Lumbar spinal stenosis.

Lumbar spinal stenosis

In this condition, the spinal nerve roots located in the lower back become compressed leading to symptoms related to sciatica –numbness, weakness and tingling that often radiates from the lower back of the legs and buttocks.

Often it mimics the symptoms of vascular insufficiency. Both these conditions can lead to claudication meaning leg pain while walking.  If vascular studies indicate normal flow of blood, and it has been established that a person is suffering from spinal stenosis on diagnostic testing then the symptoms are known as neurogenic claudication. Usually people suffering from spinal stenosis describe symptoms as onset of weakness or leg pain with walking, however they feel relief while sitting. Lumbar stenosis of the spine usually occurs at the L3-L4 and L4-L5 levels.

The first thing you need to do in case you experience any of these symptoms is consult a spinal surgeon who can start the treatment. Atlanta spine surgery for lumbar stenosis of the spine is performed only when patients show no sign of improvement with other treatment options.  

Osteoarthritis of the Spine – Two types of spinal osteoarthritis

Arthritis is a general term which is used for describing several different types of diseases causing stiffness, tenderness, swelling and pain of joints and abnormalities of different soft tissues of the human body. It is derived from “ethos” which means a joint and its different attachments; and “itis” which means inflammation. If you have osteoarthritis of the spine, then you should consult an experienced spinal surgeon like Dr. Erik Bendiks, the best surgeon in spine treatment Atlanta. He recommends the best treatment as per your existing condition so that you can do daily activities without any hurdle and without getting dependent on others. 

Lumbar spine osteoarthritis

Just like involvement of other joints in arthritis, lower back is most pronounced and painful in the morning and condition deteriorates further during the day. Often pain decreases during the day as normal movement of a person stir the presence of fluid lubricants of the joints. There is very possible that pain in lower back might radiate to the thighs, pelvis, and buttocks and even in the groin region. 

Nerve irritation because of bone spurs or herniated disc can cause tingling, weakness and numbness. It can also lead to pain in the legs, which also radiates to one foot.  Arthritis leading to narrowing of the spinal cord or spinal stenosis in the lower back can lead to walking and/or exercise related symptoms in both legs.  

Cervical spine osteoarthritis 

Neck pain triggering from arthritis worsens in the morning as well as evening, and it improves during the day. Often, the pain radiates between the shoulder blades, to the shoulder and up the neck causing headache.

With disc herniation and nerve entrapment, patient might experience numbness or weakness of certain fingers, one hand and even in both arms. In addition, compression of the spinal cord cans also causes problems related to bladder and bowel control and walking.

Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery

There are many people out there who bear the pangs of the unremitting pain lower back. Sometimes condition becomes so grave that they become dependent on family members. In cases where patients do not respond to aggressive conservative or nonsurgical treatment for at least six months, orthopedic surgeon recommends surgery as the last resort. Pain and other symptoms can make completing everyday activities difficult. This is when surgery is performed to bring about pain respite and restore ability to function.   For patients who are suffering from the problem of spinal osteoarthritis, there are two types of surgeries performed – Artificial Disc Replacement and Spinal Fusion. Sometimes artificial disc replacement is also known as total disc replacement.

Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery refers to a surgical procedure in which painful disc is replaced with an artificial disc. It is performed on the neck that is cervical spine or the lower back, lumbar spine. Artificial discs are designed with an objective of mimicking the form as well as the function of the natural disc of the spine.

As an artificial disc replacement is one of the most complicated and major surgical procedures performed in and around the spine and vascular structures, there is also a risk of paralysis or death.  And, just like any other spine fusion surgery performed for alleviating pain lower back and improving function, the patient still has chances to suffer from low back pain. However, the risks associated with surgery can be substantially mitigated by making sure that the diagnosis is correct and the patient is the candidate for this surgery. Once surgery is performed, patients can experience and feel respite in pain, thus resume normal life.

Treating spinal stenosis for better you!

With aging come several problems. Some of these conditions are really difficult to tackle and live with. Treatment for spinal stenosis relief depends on diagnoses which is causing the thinning of the spinal canal.  For example, both in herniated disc and degenerative disc disease, compression of the spinal cord along with its nerve roots occur because of the protrusion of the components of the “nucleus pulpous”, also known as the disc center. In addition, the nerve compression evolves is consequential to the abnormal spine curvatures that is unstable spine or spondylosis.  

There are different treatments which are available for spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis treatment including the following:

Spinal decompression therapy –It is one of the most common treatments for the condition. Spinal decompression therapy has helped many patients live a better life. Spinal decompression machines such as the DRX9000 and the VAX-D have rectified compressed spinal canals occurred because of herniated or the degenerated discs.

Natural Back Pain Relief Exercises – As far as non-surgical treatment for spinal stenosis are considered, there has been dispute regarding their efficiency.  These techniques will not correct the affected area of the spine. Exercises, yoga and other natural back pain relief help in relieving pain and associated symptoms.

However, it is important for you to know that if the cause of spinal stenosis is bony spurs because of the spinal osteoarthritis then the procedure is contraindicated.    In addition, in patients who are also bearing the brunt of osteoporosis, spinal decompression therapy will not aggravate the spinal stenosis, but can also lead to fractures in vertebral bones! Doctors recommend the treatment only after examining the patient with great care.  Get in touch with an experienced as well as skilled orthopedic surgeon so that you can get the best spinal osteoarthritis treatment. Timely treatment might minimize the chances of undergoing surgery. So, if you are suffering from the pangs of back pain, then consult doctor right away and timely medication and treatment ensure healthy you.