Arthritis of the Spine Pain
You might consider arthritis of the spine treatment after a spinal osteoarthritis diagnosis. This degenerative condition, which affects most to some degree, can cause the protective cartilage that lines the spinal joints to gradually break down and wear away. Left unprotected, the bones in a degenerated joint can begin to grind against each other. The resulting friction can lead to neck or back pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
If you need help dealing with symptoms like these, your best resource is your physician, who can provide individualized advice and guidance on the best treatments for your needs. If you feel intimidated about surgery, you shouldn’t worry — many people diagnosed with spinal arthritis can effectively manage their discomfort without it. In fact, you likely have several nonsurgical options, many of which involve nothing more than some simple changes to your daily routine.
Nonsurgical Arthritis Treatment Options
After talking with your physician, you might decide to try one or more conservative arthritis of the spine treatment approaches, such as:
- Resting briefly when your symptoms flare
- Avoiding body positions and movements that make you feel worse
- Applying an ice pack or heating pad periodically for comfort
- Taking medications, such as over-the-counter pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Performing gentle stretches and low-impact exercises as recommended by your physician
Some people do well with complementary treatments, such as massage therapy and chiropractic manipulation, while others report good results from alternative therapies like acupuncture and biofeedback. These approaches are subject to debate within the mainstream medical community. Additionally, certain nutritional supplements, including glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, can help treat the pain and inflammation of osteoarthritis. If you try any of these options, discuss it with your physician first.
It’s essential to remember that no single treatment is appropriate for everyone diagnosed with spinal osteoarthritis. Usually, you can find the right combination through trial and error guided by a physician.
Arthritis Surgery at BEST Health System
Some patients ultimately find that they cannot manage their symptoms effectively with nonsurgical arthritis of the spine treatment. In this case, you may be a candidate for spine surgery. However, there are modern alternatives to open-back surgery that minimizes the recovery time and length of the incision.
At BEST Health System, our board-certified surgeons help patients find the least invasive, most effective treatment option. At our Cincinnati location, Dr. Keith Girton is our spine specialist, experienced in performing minimally invasive spine surgeries. Don’t wait any longer to find the help you deserve. Contact BEST today.
