Arthritis

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is a common condition that causes joint inflammation, stiffness, and pain that may worsen over time. While it can affect any joint, certain types often involve the spine, including the facet joints (which connect the vertebrae) and the sacroiliac joints (in the pelvis).

What are the most common forms of arthritis?

Arthritic conditions most likely to affect the spine include:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis typically develops in mid-to-late life. It’s caused by decades of wear-and-tear that erode the cartilage protecting your bones. The bones rub painfully together and deteriorate, triggering bone spur growth. These small bony protrusions develop to reinforce the spine but often cause narrowing (spinal stenosis) and nerve compression (radiculopathy).

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is another widespread form of the disease. However, its cause is entirely different. It develops when your immune system destroys healthy cells in the joint linings as though they were harmful bacteria or viruses. Rheumatoid arthritis usually develops in younger people and can cause severe joint distortion.

Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis causes inflammation in the spine and elsewhere. It tends to develop in adolescents and young adults.

What symptoms can arthritis cause?

Symptoms vary by type, but common signs include:

• Back or neck stiffness

• Pain that worsens with activity or prolonged sitting/standing

• Limited flexibility or range of motion

• Radiating pain, numbness, or weakness if nerves are compressed

What treatments help with arthritis?

Treatment is tailored to the type and severity of arthritis and may include:

• Physical therapy to improve strength, flexibility, and posture

• Injections, such as epidural steroids or facet joint injections, for targeted relief

• Regenerative treatments, like platelet-rich plasma (PRP), to support healing

• Interventional therapies, including radiofrequency ablation or spinal cord stimulation, to manage chronic pain

• Medications, including anti-inflammatories or disease-modifying drugs for rheumatoid arthritis

Lifestyle choices also play a key role in managing arthritis. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and following a balanced diet can reduce stress on the spine, improve mobility, and help control inflammation

Surgery is not typically the first option but may be considered when other treatments are no longer effective.

What surgeries may help with arthritis?

For advanced arthritis that causes nerve compression or spinal instability, surgical options may include:

• Decompression procedures (laminectomy, laminotomy, discectomy) to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves

• Spinal fusion or implants to stabilize the spine and reduce painful motion

The goal of surgery is to relieve pain, restore stability, and improve quality of life when conservative care is no longer sufficient.