Understanding Progress Of spinal Osteoarthritis

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Dr. Erik T. Bendiks, M.D.
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Understanding Progress Of spinal Osteoarthritis
Of different types of arthritis, the most common
and frequently disabling, and also the most
painful is osteoarthritis. It affects the weight
bearing joints, knees and hips along with the
spine, hands and feet. Of these, it is spinal
osteoarthritis which triggers severe pain, making
the life of a person difficult.
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• As far as zeroing on the best spinal
  osteoarthritis treatment goes, it is decided by
  the doctor after carefully examining the patient
  and the damage caused.
• Normal joints are hinges towards the ends of
  bones which are lubricated inside a closed sack
  by synovial fluidand coveted by cartilage.
  Usually, there is friction in joints which makes
  for the easy movement. With degeneration process
  of joints, cartilage becomes rough and slowly
  worn out causing joint halves to rub against each
  other. It causes pain and inflammation and
  formation of bone spurs. Joint lining may become
  inflamed as well as swollen and the fluid
  lubricant might become thin.

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• Osteoarthritis, medically known as degenerative
  joint disease, has been affecting near about
  thirty millions Americans every year. Women above
  the age of 45 or 50 years of age suffer from it
  the most.
• Osteoarthritis of the
  spine

Pain triggering in back should not be avoided as
it could be the sign of something graver and
severe. With an increasing number of peoples
suffering from spinal osteoarthritis, it is
important to pay heed to back pain. According to
studies, it has been established that Spinal
arthritis is one of the prime causes of back
pain. It is a condition in which cartilage
located between the aligning facet joints in the
posterior (back portion of the spine) breakdown
causing mechanically induced pain.
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The facet joints, also known as zygophyseal
joints or vertebral joints) becomes inflamed and
it is the progressive joint degeneration which
leads to more frictional pain. Flexibility as
well as back motion decreases proportionally to
the back pain induced while walking, sitting and
standing.

Over the period of time, small and irregular
growth on bones known as osteophytes, medically
called bone spurs, form on the spinal vertebrae
and facet joints. These bonesspurs form as a
response to instability of joint, and are the
attempt of nature to bring stability to the
joints again.
It is the expansion of the normal bony structure
which signifies spine degeneration. However, it
is important for you to know that bone spurs are
considered as a normal ageing process and do not
lead to pain directly.
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However, there is very possibility they might
become large causing entrapment and irritation to
nerves passing through spinal structure. This may
lead to diminished space for the nerves to pass,
condition known as spinal stenosis. As far as
Spinal Stenosis Relief goes, your healthcare
professional or orthopedic will prescribe the
treatment after running a few tests. Getting
timely treatment for spinal stenosis is important
else it will progress to more severe a condition
like spinal osteoarthritis. If you experience
back pain frequently then consult orthopedic so
that you can get the best treatment.

Dr. Bendiks offers treatment for osteoarthritis
and spinal joint disease in Atlanta.