Spinal arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis of the spine, is the inflammation, swelling, and stiffening of the joints where vertebrae meet and articulate. Its cause is unknown, but doctors have concluded that it is associated with stress placed on the joints over years of daily use, eventually leading to cumulative damage to the cartilage that lines each spinal joint. There also is evidence that gender and genetics might play a role. Women are twice as likely as men to develop osteoarthritis, while people with an arthritic family member may carry an inherited trait that predisposes them to arthritis.

Symptoms

As the cartilage that lines spinal joints wears down, spinal arthritis sufferers can begin to experience intermittent or persistent pain at the site. Reduced joint cartilage also compromises the stability of the vertebrae, which can lead to the development of osteophytes (bone spurs). These smooth, bony nodules grow along the edges of existing bone and are the body's response to diminished joint stability. While bone spurs often are asymptomatic, if a spur makes contact with a nerve root or the spinal cord, the following symptoms can occur:

• Diminished flexibility in the back or neck
• Intermittent or persistent pain within the spinal joints
• The sensation of bone rubbing on bone
• Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands
• Numbness or weakness in the legs or feet
• Pain that radiates through a nerve to the extremities

Spinal Arthritis Treatment

Osteoarthritis is incurable, but symptoms usually can be managed with a doctor-recommended regimen of conservative treatment. These include pain medication, corticosteroid injections, exercise, physical therapy, or alternative treatments such as acupuncture and chiropractic manipulation. Surgery typically becomes an option only if chronic symptoms persist after several weeks or months of conservative treatment.

The Anatomy of the Condition

As mentioned previously, spinal arthritis is marked by the deterioration of the cartilage that coats the spine's joints. These joints are called facet joints, and they are located on each individual vertebrae.

The spine is composed of about two dozen individual vertebrae, plus several fused vertebrae in the pelvic region. The vertebrae in the cervical (upper), thoracic (middle), and lumbar (lower) spine are able to move, twist, and bend in unison thanks to the facet joints, which help link the vertebrae in a hinge-like fashion. Each movable vertebra has a total of four facet joint surfaces - a left-and-right set on the top and a left-and-right set on the bottom. These joint surfaces connect with, and work in harmony with, the facet joints above and below. Soft, rubbery cartilage helps the joints experience smooth motion. The joints also have a synovial membrane which secretes lubricating synovial fluid.

Cartilage Deterioration and its Side Effects

As the cartilage wears away due to arthritis, it starts a chain reaction of symptoms and problems. Movement becomes stiff and painful. Friction increases on the facet joints, irritating the tiny nerves inside the joints. Increased friction also prompts the growth of bone spurs, which do not hurt on their own, but if they press upon nerve roots, the spinal cord, or other soft tissue, the result is often chronic and possibly debilitating pain.

See Your Doctor

If you experience back or neck pain that lasts more than a week, it's time to contact your doctor for help. Don't delay in seeking a physician's advice, since spinal pain can indicate a variety of problems, some of them serious and requiring urgent treatment.