Spinal arthritis treatments

Arthritis can strike anywhere in the body where there is bones, joints and cartilages, which causes pain and at times immobility. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis where the cartilage that protects the joints wears down due to aging and injury. One of the places where osteoarthritis can strike is in the spine. What causes spinal arthritis and what are the spinal arthritis treatments?


Like other forms of osteoarthritis the reason people develop spinal arthritis are the wear and tear of cartilages due to aging and from the result of an injury. Younger folks usually get this type of arthritis when a joint is injured or they may have even inherited the problem.

What are the signs of spinal arthritis?

If you are experiencing neck and back pain that might be a sign that you need to have it checked out by a doctor. You will probably notice that your mobility will be greatly affected especially when you try to bend over.

What is spinal stenosis?

According to the PubMed Health spinal stenosis is the” narrowing of the spinal column that causes pressure on the spinal cord, or narrowing of the openings (called neural foramina) where spinal nerves leave the spinal column.”

This painful and debilitating condition can be brought on by spinal arthritis.

Treatments for spinal arthritis

Living with arthritis requires leading a healthy lifestyle which includes exercise and proper dieting. Even though there isn’t a cure you can control the pain through medication prescribed by your doctor or over the counter medicine that is doctor recommended. Surgery is usually the last resort.

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Shoulder arthritis treatments

If you are living with arthritis then you know that arthritis can affect you at any time and any place on the body where there are joints and cartilages. One of those places that can be particularly painful is in the shoulder.

While there isn’t a cure for arthritis there are treatments that can help you deal with the pain and inflammation. The 2 most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis attacks joints causing inflammation anywhere on the body while osteoarthritis has to do more with the wear and tear of joints. Most shoulder arthritis is osteoarthritis.

How can you tell if you have shoulder arthritis?

The most common symptoms

• Pain when you are moving the shoulder 
• The shoulder is stiff due to inflammation 
• It feels like something is grinding in the shoulder 
• You are limited in how much you can move the shoulder

If you have had injuries to your shoulder and you are over 50 then you are definitely a candidate for shoulder arthritis. It also can be inherited.

How is shoulder arthritis treated?

Physical therapy is a great way to keep your shoulder mobile and flexible. Medications such as NSAIDS which can be over the counter or prescribed by your doctor can certainly help. Like other types of arthritis cortisone shots can also be helpful. And as usual surgery is most often the last resort for treatments.

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Remedies for osteoarthritis

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which deals with the wearing a way of cartilage that covers the ends of the bones and joints. While there isn’t a cure for osteoarthritis there are ways to make things easier for you. Living with arthritis can be difficult but working with you doctor and being knowledgeable about the remedies for osteoarthritis can help you control it.

 

As with most arthritis treatments medications are used.

 

• Acetaminophen is good for mild pain and it can be found in over the counter meds such as Tylenol. 
• If you have done any research on arthritis then you have heard of NSAIDs. Like acetaminophen you can find over the counter the most common being Motrin and Advil. They help reduce inflammation but they have also been known to have side effects. 
• Prescription drugs are definitely stronger and they may also produce side effects, check with your doctor. 
• Cortisone shots are used to ease the pain of arthritis but I know from personal experience that they can be painful as well. And you can only take so many each year.

 

There is a surgery procedure called osteotomy that helps realign the bones relieving pressure on them.

 

Of course there is also therapy that can be used as well as exercise. Your doctor will be able to help with find a therapist for you. Exercises that improve flexibility are great for increasing your range of motion and taking the stress off on joints.

 

While not everyone will agree that changing your diet will help with osteoarthritis you may want to look as well.

 

Arthritis in fingers

Living with arthritis can be painful and debilitating anywhere but to have to deal with it in your fingers and hands can really be challenging. Gripping things and trying to pick up anything with arthritis in your fingers can be painful and discouraging. You have most likely have seen folks with arthritic hands and fingers and wonder how they get anything done.

Like most arthritis the kind that you find in your fingers or hands can be either rheumatoid or osteoarthritis, which is the most common type of arthritis in fingers. The wearing a way of cartilage (the cushion between joints) over years will definitely bring on the pain and the inflammation. Other symptoms besides joint pain and swelling are stiffness and lack of dexterity in the fingers.

What are the arthritis treatments?

The treatments for arthritis in the fingers are similar to other arthritic treatments such as medication and heat and ice treatments. Another type of treatment is cortisone shots which are fast acting and rather painful. I recently had a shot in my hand that has arthritis and the pain lasted for quite a while. Your doctor may also recommend splints that help the fingers feel at ease and gives them support. Your doctor should also be able to advise you on any types of exercise that may also help with your arthritis fingers.

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