Spine Arthritis Treatment
Arthritis is one of the most common pain disorders that affects the joints in the body, including the facet joints in the spine. Osteoarthritis in the spine is a degenerative disease that can cause significant pain and other symptoms. The symptoms of spinal arthritis depend on the region of the spine affected, including the cervical, thoracic and lumbar sections of the spine. At DOCS Health, we offer spine arthritis treatment to obtain pain relief for our patients at our medical center in Los Angeles.
Cervical Spine Arthritis
Osteoarthritis in the cervical spine, or cervical spondylosis, can cause a wide variety of symptoms. While some patients with arthritis in the cervical spine may have no symptoms, others can experience mild to severe pain and functional issues. Symptoms can include:
- Localized neck pain or stiffness
- Radiating pain into the shoulders, arms and hands
- Headaches
- Loss of balance or dizziness
- Loss of bladder control
- Muscle weakness, tingling or numbness in arms and hands
There is no cure for arthritis, but there are treatments for cervical spondylosis. Our spinal and orthopedic specialists can provide interventional pain treatments to relieve cervical arthritis pain and symptoms.
Thoracic Spine Arthritis
Spine osteoarthritis, or spondylosis, is more common in the cervical and lumbar regions, but it can occur in the thoracic spine. Although the thoracic spine is the largest section of the spine, it requires less movement than the other two sections, which can reduce wear and tear on the facet joints. When thoracic spondylosis occurs, the symptoms can include:
- Upper back pain
- Pain radiating to the ribcage and around the trunk of the body
- Stiffness in the back after rest
- Pain when sitting for long periods
- Difficulty bending backward or from side-to-side
Thoracic spondylosis or osteoarthritis does not have a cure, but it can be treated with interventional pain treatments. Injection therapy with anti-inflammatory medications or orthobiologics may be recommended, along with other conservative treatments.
Lumbar Spine Arthritis
Osteoarthritis in the lumbar spine is very common due to the wear and tear on the lower part of the spine. Lumbar spondylosis can be a painful condition that can impact your mobility, but there are treatment options available. The symptoms of lumbar spine arthritis include:
- Low back pain
- Stiffness in the lower back
- Limited range of motion
- Sciatica – radiating pain into the buttocks, hips and legs
- Muscle spasms
- Muscle weakness
As with all arthritis, there is not a cure for lumbar spondylosis. However, there are interventional pain treatments that can minimize pain, including injection therapy, spinal cord stimulation and other options.
If you have symptoms of spine arthritis, treatment is available at DOCS Health. Contact our medical center in Beverly Hills, CA, to schedule an appointment.
Doctors who treat this condition
Unless otherwise indicated, the physician is a member of DOCS Health Medical Group and has medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both. Physicians denoted with an asterisk (*) are independent physicians who are not part of DOCS Health Medical Group, but do have medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both.