Spinal Osteoarthritis Treatment – What are the Causes?

Most people know that arthritis is the most common cause of pain in lower back, especially people who are above 50 years of age. The lower back comprises of five sets of facet joints, one on the right and one on the left side of each spinal bone. Like joint in other parts of the body, the lower back facet joints can be either inflamed or injured. In either situation, you should seek the advice of the orthopedic surgeon for Spinal Osteoarthritis Treatment. It is a form of degenerative arthritis in the lower back that leads to inflammation, pain and stiffness.

Understanding Spinal Osteoarthritis

Arthritis refers to a general term that means swelling of a joint. The word arthritis is derived from a Greek word “arthros” meaning a joint and “itis” which means inflammation. The only joints in the spine are the facets. Thus, Osteoarthritis in the Spine means inflammation of the spinal facet joints.

What are the causes of arthritis in the lower back?

The condition occurs because of the internal damage to the facet joints. The surfaces of the facet joints are lined with smooth cartilage for easy movement as the two sides of the joints rub against each another. However, it is important to note that the joints can become painful through the following procedure:

1. When the cartilage located on the one side of the joint get damaged, chipped or torn then as the spine moves, the injured cartilage gouges its neighbor causing further pain and injury.
2. This damage or injury to the joints results in friction which ultimately causes inflammation
3. The swollen and injured facet joints transmit this pain signal through a single nerve originating from the facet joint
4. It is this signal that causes the back muscles to experience spasm
5. It is the combination of the inflammation and muscle spasms that triggers pain in the lower back

Osteoarthritis of the Spine can be treated in an effective way if the right cause is diagnosed.