Spinal Arthritis
Spinal Arthritis Treatment at Pain Management Of SA In Live Oak, TX
Spinal arthritis, which encompasses various conditions that inflame or damage the joints in your spine, can disrupt your daily life. Pain, stiffness, and a limited range of motion can make simple tasks difficult.
Our experienced experts at Pain Management SA understand the intense effects spinal arthritis can have on you. As such, they are committed to helping you develop an individualized plan for dealing with your pain so that you can regain control. Our treatment approach incorporates medication, injections, minimally invasive procedures, and other conservative options as needed, addressing your condition and helping you get back to normal activities.
Understanding Spinal Arthritis
Different types of arthritis that affect the spine:
- Osteoarthritis : These types of arthritis are caused by wear and damage to the cartilage that provides cushioning between vertebrae.
- Spondyloarthritis : This form of infection usually affects some of the joints and ligaments in the back and may cause inflammation in other organs like the eyes. It includes:
- Ankylosing spondylitis : This chronic inflammatory disease is restricted to the lower spinal cord and the sacroiliac joint (the intersection point of the spine with the pelvis).
- Psoriatic arthritis : This skin ailment leads to a spinal condition known as psoriasis.
Symptoms of Spinal Arthritis
The signs of spine arthritis vary based on the affected joints and their types.
- Pain : This is often described as a dull, deep pain in the back or neck that can become quite troublesome. Activity can make the pain worse, but often times not even extended rest will help the pain.
- Stiffness : When dealing with spinal arthritis it may be difficult to bend, twist, or extend the spine, especially in the morning upon waking from sleep or after long periods of sitting.
- Reduced range of motion : Pain and stiffness may restrict certain movements, such as reaching up, bending over, or climbing stairs.
- Tenderness : Touching the affected area may be painful and reveal tenderness .
- Morning stiffness : Stiffness for more than half an hour upon waking is one telling indication that spinal arthritis may be present.
- Fatigue : Fatigue can occur as a result of chronic pain and inflammation.
Trust in Pain Management of SA
If you’re ready to take the next step toward better health, locate your nearest Pain Management of SA and schedule an appointment today.
Diagnosing Spinal Arthritis
Spinal arthritis can only be diagnosed at Pain Management of SA after an extensive examination by our experts. This is usually made up of a:
Thorough review of your medical history
Your symptoms, location of pain, duration, and possible risk factors such as family history of arthritis, previous injuries, and occupation are all taken into consideration.
Physical examination
Undergoing a physical checkup by our doctor will help them identify your problem areas by checking your range of motion, tenderness, reflexes, and muscle strength.
Imaging test
You may need to have X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs done to visualize the joints in your spine, identify inflammation, and ruling out other causes for the pain.
Blood tests
Some blood tests may help diagnose specific types of spondyloarthritis, such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis.
Treatment Options for Spinal Arthritis
At Pain Management of SA, we offer a multidisciplinary approach to spinal arthritis treatment, focusing on pain relief, improved function, and long-term management. Here are some treatment options we may consider:
1. Conservative therapies:
Rest and modification of activities: Resting and avoiding activities exacerbating pain can reduce inflammation and promote healing. However, being sedentary for too long can make stiffness worse. Our philosophy is all about finding the right balance for you and your situation.
Physical therapy
Exercises to build up muscles that support your back, enhance flexibility, and keep you in good postural form are essential to treatment.
Heat and ice therapy
Warmth improves blood flow and reduces rigidity, whereas coldness dampens swelling.
Weight management
Keeping one’s weight healthy takes the stress off the spine and facet joints.
Assistive devices
Using crutches, sticks, or braces can ease movement problems, thus minimizing pain.
2. Medications:
Painkillers
Several non-prescription painkillers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, might offer temporary relief.
Prescribed medicine
To control the discomfort and swelling often caused by spinal arthritis, your physician could suggest more powerful analgesics, muscle relaxants, or medications to reduce inflammation.
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
Some forms of spondyloarthritides can be prevented by these medications.
3. Injections:
Corticosteroid injections
These injections are a direct dose of corticosteroids into the inflamed region for pain relief.
Facet Joint Injections
These injections could be beneficial if specific facet joints are causing you discomfort.
4. Minimally invasive procedures:
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a procedure that employs radio waves to heat and weaken nerves and tissues that transmit pain signals from the facet joints.
Vertebral augmentation is a technique in which stabilizing substances are injected into weak vertebrae to support them and relieve pain.
Pain Management of SA aims to help you manage your spinal arthritis so that you can live life as freely as possible. We’re dedicated to providing sensitive care and individualized attention throughout the process, so you will receive the all-encompassing assistance necessary for top-notch health and well-being.
FAQs
Symptoms of spinal arthritis typically involve back pain, stiffness, or limited movement. It may also result in numbness and tingling in the legs and arms and arm and leg weakness. If you are facing these symptoms, we advise you to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors for a complete evaluation.
The disease is called osteoarthritis because it is chronic and often worsens in many patients. Nonetheless, through proper care and lifestyle changes, it is possible to reduce symptoms significantly and slow down the progress of the illness. We will team up with you to design an individualized program that minimizes pain while maximizing utility.
Recovery after treatment for spinal arthritis depends on the person and treatment. Results vary based on whether patients undergo surgery, take part in physical therapy, etc. Patients may often experience brief discomfort or tenderness following procedures or other physical therapy visits. However, our staff will advise on post-procedure care and rehabilitation exercises needed to support the healing process for better results.