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What Is Arthritis in the Spine?

Spinal arthritis, medically termed as spinal stenosis, affects different nerves. Nerves in the legs, back or neck and shoulders and arms can be affected individually or as a group. Spinal arthritis may not be painful initially, but it gradually can worsen. It is beneficial to seek medical attention to determine if you are suffering spinal arthritis to rule out the possibility of other medical conditions.

  1. Definition

    • The Mayo Clinic defines spinal arthritis or spinal stenosis as "a narrowing of one or more areas in the spine." Narrowing usually occurs in the neck or lower back. When compressed, the narrowed areas of the spin place a strain on the spinal cord and spinal nerves.

    Symptoms

    • Symptoms most often will be felt in the neck and lower back. Spinal arthritis in the upper spine produces symptoms of numbness, weakness or a tingling sensation in a leg or foot, arm or hand. When these symptoms occur, items are easily dropped or there is a tendency to fall. Neck and shoulder pain may also be a sign of spinal arthritis. This pain is more dominant when nerves in the neck are compressed. When spinal arthritis is severe, there might be uncontrollable nerves in the bladder, causing incontinence.

    Causes

    • The two most common causes of spinal arthritis are degeneration and the aging process, according to the Mayo Clinic. When an individual experiences osteoarthritis, when facet joints adjacent to vertebrae deteriorate, as damage repair the body produces bone spurs that can narrow the spine. Disks can also degenerate in the back with age. As disks flatten, a jelly substance is produced that sticks out and presses on the spinal cord and nerve endings. Ligaments that hold the spinal cord together thicken over time. As these ligaments thicken they stiffen up and bulge into the spinal cord, which narrows the spinal cord and compresses tissues of nerves. Spinal injury and tumors may also cause spinal arthritis. Spinal injury may occur during car accidents or other major accidents. These accidents cause dislocation and fracture of the vertebrae. After bone is moved or displaced, it can cause spinal arthritis in the future. Tumors can grow inside the spine and eventually cover the spinal cord and vertebrae, causing compression on the spinal cord and nerve endings.

    Risk Factors

    • Age is a great risk factor for spinal arthritis, as most individuals having this condition are older than 50. Another risk factor is being born with a birth defect. Birth defects can cause the spine to be smaller at birth than the average newborn. This could increase the risk of spinal arthritis as well.

    Treatments

    • Initially over-the-counter drugs may be given for spinal arthritis pain. If this is not sufficient the doctor may result to other methods of treatment. Antidepressants could be given in a low dosage to take nightly. Some antidepressants have resulted in easing pain. Anti-seizure drugs are another method of medication. As some of these drugs reduce pain caused by damaged nerves. The doctor may also recommend therapy to improve balance, control pain and build strength and endurance. Spinal arthritis is not reversable, but the treatments mentioned can reduce pain and slow the affects of damage to nerve roots.

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