Typically, there isn't a single determining factor that brings on spinal osteoarthritis, but rather there are several different spinal arthritis causes. The largest contributing factor to spinal arthritis is age. That's right, the older we get, the more likely we are to develop spinal osteoarthritis. As we age, our spine will naturally degenerate. As this happens, the vertebrae, and consequently their facet joints, move closer to one another. The protective cartilage coating on the facet joints begins to dehydrate and deteriorate; this is the beginning of spinal osteoarthritis. Eventually, cartilage wears away and raw bone is exposed on the surfaces of joints, making joint movement coarse, stiff, and painful. In addition to age, gender (females over 45 are more susceptible), heredity, and obesity can all also influence the onset of spinal osteoarthritis.

The Connection Between Degenerative Disc Disease and Spinal Arthritis

Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common contributory spinal arthritis causes. Degenerative disc disease is not actually a disease, but instead it describes what occurs when the natural decomposition of the intervertebral discs in the human spine is accelerated. The hastened disc deterioration allows for the discs to become flattened and lose their flexibility. Significant to spinal osteoarthritis, though, is the flattening of the discs. As the discs diminish in height, the vertebrae around the disc inevitably move closer together. As the facet joints move closer together and begin to rub against one another more and more, the cartilage coating on the bones will wear away, giving way to spinal osteoarthritis.

Traumatic Injuries Can Be Causes of Spinal Arthritis

Traumatic injuries may also be to blame for spinal osteoarthritis in some cases. A severe blow to the back or an unforeseen movement placing extreme pressure on the back can lead to accelerated degeneration, and eventually, spinal osteoarthritis. Injuries can be the result of automobile accidents, sports injuries, and excessive or improper lifting of heavy objects. These causes will likely not immediately induce spinal osteoarthritis, but may instead damage a vertebra or an intervertebral disc, which can progressively lead to osteoarthritis in the spine.

Symptoms Associated with Spinal Arthritis

Since spinal arthritis is a degenerative condition, it will progress over time. As a result, an individual with early stage spinal arthritis may not experience symptoms, while someone in the later stages of the condition could be debilitated by it. Symptoms can vary widely among patients, but typically include:

* Intermittent pain that can range from a dull ache to severe, burning pain
* Stiffness in the neck or back, especially in the morning or after long periods of rest
* Inflamed joints that appear red through the skin and are warm to the touch
* Joint tenderness

Sometimes spinal arthritis causes neuropathic, or nerve, pain that radiates into other areas of the body. This phenomenon is known as radiculopathy, and occurs when a nerve root that innervates the upper or lower body is pinched or compressed. In terms of spinal arthritis, nerve root compression may occur in the later stages of the condition, as the development of bone spurs, coupled with facet joint degeneration, affects the normal spacing and movement of a motion segment (as described above), crowding nearby nerve structures.

Treatment

Although the causes of spinal arthritis are varied, a doctor will typically recommend that a patient begin a series of conservative treatments to help mitigate symptoms. These nonsurgical therapies usually include pain medication, anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy, among others. Patients should work closely with a doctor to determine which treatments work the best.