Spinal Arthritis is one of the more common, debilitating forms of arthritis that affects millions of people. Common with most forms of arthritis, this version attacks the soft tissue between the spinal joints and reduces mobility because of the pain and inflammation associated with this disease.
However, the causes of spinal arthritis do vary depending on the overall type of arthritis that is present. While each type of arthritis has its own signature, the overall effects are generally the same. Rheumatoid Arthritis basically turns the white blood cells of the body against the membrane that covers the joints and cartilage found between the vertebras. Side effects also include feelings of fatigue and bouts of fever as well.
Osteoarthritis is a more degenerative form that advances with age, this is the most common type of arthritis and it can strike any of the joints in the body. There is no singular cause of this type of spinal arthritis, but those at risk tend to be over the age of 45 and female as women are twice as likely as men to have Osteoarthritis. The joints that have suffered a previous injury and people who are overweight are susceptible to this form of arthritis as well. Also, heredity can play a role in that those whose family members have Osteoarthritis are also more susceptible to getting the disease.
While having different causes, both forms of spinal arthritis have the same general effect of limiting mobility and causing pain. One of the most common forms of treatment consists of exercise to increase mobility in the joints, although such treatment may seem to aggravate the pain, research has shown that people who exercise regularly not only enjoy increased mobility, but a greater tolerance and lessening effect that the pain from both forms of arthritis brings.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are also used to control the inflammation that spinal arthritis causes in the joint tissues. By bringing down the inflammation, more mobility is restored and a lessening of the pain that is felt as well. Other forms of treatment include pain medication and in some cases surgery to help stave off the advances of spinal arthritis.
Surgery in these cases tends to run along the lines of spinal fusion, which generally means fusing two or more vertebra together. This course of action is usually performed when the degeneration of the tissues between the joints has reached a point that mobility in that area cannot be restored through exercise or other means. The vertebras are then fused to help relieve the pain, though this will limit the mobility of the person affected.
Spinal arthritis is one of the more common forms of arthritis that millions of people currently endure. However, the good news is that those who understand the risks and maintain a proactive approach such as having a good exercise routine, maintaining a healthy weight and a proper diet can combat the effects of spinal arthritis and keep much of their mobility for the duration of their lives.