Osteoarthritis is the most common and frequently disabling form of arthritis. Tenderness, pain, swelling and stiffness in the hips and knees (the weight-bearing joints) along with the hands, feet and spine are some common osteoarthritis symptoms. Nearly 30 million Americans, mostly women over the age of 45, are affected by osteoarthritis symptoms.
Osteoarthritis treatment cannot be advised without a thorough examination from a medical professional. An examination of osteoarthritis symptoms includes a medical history review, a physical examination and a series of x-rays. Additional blood tests and MRI or CT scans may also be performed to confirm the existence of spinal arthritis and to rule out other conditions before seeking osteoarthritis treatments. Learn more about osteoarthritis of the knee, spine, hips, hands and feet in the following resources.
Unfortunately, there is no proven treatment for stopping or slowing the progression of spinal arthritis. There are, however, treatment options for minimizing the painful symptoms associated with spinal arthritis. Lifestyle changes, medications, exercise, conservative care, and sometimes surgery can help reduce pain, stiffness, and prevent disability from osteoarthritis of the spine.
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