Spine Arthritis - Spine Care/Surgery

Spine Arthritis Treatment Abroad

Spine Arthritis or Osteoarthritis of the spine is a breakdown of the cartilage of the joints and discs in the neck and lower back. Sometimes this medical condition produces spurs that put pressure on the nerves leaving the spinal column, causing weakness and pain in the arms or legs.

For people younger than age 45, osteoarthritis is more common among men, but after age 45, osteoarthritis is more common among women. Osteoarthritis occurs more often among people who are overweight. It also occurs more frequently in those who have jobs or do sports that put repetitive stress on certain joints.

The best way to confirm a diagnosis of osteoarthritis is by X-ray. The doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical exam to see if the person has pain, tenderness, loss of motion involving the neck or lower back, or if symptoms are suggestive, signs of nerve involvement such as weakness, reflex changes, or loss of sensation.

Causes

Spine Arthritis usually occurs due to internal damage to the facet joints. The surfaces of the facet joints are lined with smooth cartilage to allow for movement as the two sides of the joint rub against one another. However, the joint can become painful through the following process:

• When the cartilage on one side get chipped, torn, or damaged then every time the spine moves the injured cartilage gouges its neighbor, causing further injury.
• Damage to the joint which results in friction, and ultimately inflammation.
• The combination of the muscle spasm and inflammation of the joints causes low back pain.

Symptoms

Spine Arthritis may cause stiffness or pain in the neck or back. It may also cause weakness or numbness in the legs or arms if it is severe enough to affect spinal nerves or the spinal cord itself. Usually, the back discomfort is relieved when the person is lying down. Some people experience little interference with the activities of their lives. Others become more severely disabled.

In addition to the physical effects, a person with Spine Arthritis might also experience social and emotional problems. For instance, a person with osteoarthritis that hinders daily activities and job performance might feel depressed or helpless.

Treatment

The treatment for Spine Arthritis varies depending on the severity of the condition and the patient's overall health. Among the non-surgical treatment we can mention massage, acupuncture, hot or cold compresses, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and nutritional supplements. The doctor might also recommend prescription painkillers, mild narcotics, or injections of corticosteroids around the spinal column called epidural steroid injections.

Surgery is necessary only in severe cases that lead to instability of the joint or nerve root pinching. For spinal arthritis, the only effective surgical treatment is spine fusion surgery to stop the motion at the painful joint. Because motion in the joint is causing the pain, the goal of a fusion surgery is to stop the motion and thereby stop the pain. Another option is surgical decompression of the nerve roots when the arthritis is affecting the nerves in the spine.

 Benefits

• Relieving pain
• Increasing the patient's mobility
• Ability to perform daily activities again
• Removing pressure on the nerves

Cost

In the United States, Spine Arthritis surgeries may cost up to $50,000, though costs may reach as high as $100,000 in some places. This cost may not include hospital care, diagnostics, imaging, medications and fiscal therapy or rehabilitation services, depending on geographic region. However, individuals traveling to foreign destinations such as Mexico, Latin America, and Asia may enjoy between 30% and 50% savings on costs of the same type of procedure, which include all inclusive stays, care, and medical support.

Doctors

For the treatment of Spine Arthritis you need various doctors depending on the right procedure for you. You might have to see a rheumatologist, a physiatrist, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a psychologist, a dietitian, an orthopedist and a licensed acupuncture therapist. Orthopedic surgeons should be certified and experienced in all types of spinal surgeries, including cervical, thoracic and lumbar procedures and techniques, and belong to recognized organizations and associations. 

For more information about the Spine Arthritis treatment and information about the best clinics offering the procedure, please contact us!