Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis Treatments

Facet Joint Disorders and Back Pain

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:33 -0800

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Osteoarthritis Treatments

Specific Osteoarthritis Exercise Programs

Ben Parr — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:14:14 -0700

Exercise need not result in heart-pounding, sweat-inducing fatigue to be beneficial. In fact, exercise does not, and in the case of osteoarthritis sufferers probably should not, include high impact activities such as running, or sports such as tennis, basketball or racquetball, which require a lot of stopping, changing directions and jumping – all of which can stress vulnerable joints and jar bones together.

Diagnosis and Indications of Osteoarthritis

Ben Parr — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:49:37 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about the diagnosis and indications of osteoarthritis.

Question: What to do with osteoarthritis diagnosis?

A physiatrist diagnosed me as having lumbar radiculopathy, based on his examination, and recommended an MRI which showed:

Movement May Help Osteoarthritis and Joint Pain

Ben Parr — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:26:04 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about pain lying down due to osteoarthritis and joint pain.

Question: What causes back pain lying down?

My wife has low back pain only when lying down in bed at night. Her back feels the same in any position; nothing seems to relieve or increase the pain. She also has pain in the morning when she wakes up. No pain during the day.

Can you tell me what this might be? She is active and 41 years old.

Synovial Cyst from Osteoarthritis and Facet Joint Degeneration

Ben Parr — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:34:35 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about osteoarthritis and facet joint degeneration as a cause of synovial cysts.

Question: What conditions can cause a synovial cyst?

In August 2001, I was diagnosed with a synovial cyst. Prior to the diagnosis, I was a fitness walker but was unable to continue until this past spring.

No doctor has been able to tell me what caused this cyst and the chance of recurring problems from it. Can you?

Gentle Exercise Options Before Surgery

Ben Parr — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 08:50:10 -0800

A physician answers patient questions about gentle exercises to do when strenuous activity creates pain.

Using an Adjustable Bed for Back Problems

Ben Parr — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:36:16 -0800

An adjustable bed has the potential to help anyone who feels more comfortable in an inclined position (such as sitting on a recliner with the feet up) rather than when lying on a regular flat mattress. The following provides a few examples of certain back conditions and how an inclined position in an adjustable bed can sometimes help the patient feel more comfortable.

Back Pain Causes: Overview of Conditions That Can Create Back Pain

Ben Parr — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:23:54 -0800

By far the most common cause of lower back pain is a muscle strain or other soft tissue damage. While this condition is not serious, it can be severely painful. Typically, lower back pain from a muscle strain will get better within one to three weeks.

Spondylosis: What It Actually Means

Greg — Wed, 07 May 2008 10:00:42 -0700

Spondylosis refers to a situation where there is degeneration of the spine. It could describe degeneration in the neck (cervical spondylosis) or degeneration in the lower back (lumbar spondylosis). Patients are often confused by the term because, like many other spine terms, doctors tend to use the term spondylosis differently. For example:

Research on Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate Supplements

spine-health — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:00:35 -0800

Existing research on dietary supplements

Currently, there is relatively little research on the effects of nutritional supplements on spine health and specifically on osteoarthritis of the spine. At this point in time, existing studies of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are inconclusive as to whether or not the dietary supplements can prevent or reverse the joint cartilage degeneration associated with osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:53:26 -0800

Definition

See Degenerative Arthritis.

Related information

Facet Joint Injections for Back Pain Relief Video

spine-health — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:19:41 -0800

Facet joints are small joints at each segment of the spine that provide stability and help guide motion. Facet joints can become painful due to arthritis, back injury, or mechanical stress. A facet joint injection delivers a steroid medication which anesthetizes the joints and blocks the pain. This interactive video gives a clear picture of a facet joint injection.

Osteoarthritis of the Spine Video

spine-health — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:16:46 -0800

Osteoarthritis (also called facet joint osteoarthritis or spinal arthritis) occurs when the cartilage that line the facet joints in the spine deteriorate, allowing the bones to rub directly against each other. Spinal osteoarthritis may lead to back pain, symptoms of sciatica and other problems. This video provides information on facet joint disorders, bone spurs, and osteoarthritis anatomy, causes, and treatment options.

Glucosamine Side Effects

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Preliminary studies show glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate to be safe and well tolerated. Common side effects may include:

Safe Use of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate Supplements

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Consult a physician before taking glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate

Patients should always consult a health professional before changing their diet or taking any over-the-counter drugs or nutritional supplements (also known as dietary supplements or natural supplements). Only patients who have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis by a health professional and have had other possible causes for their back pain ruled out are candidates for glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements.

Summary of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Studies

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Current studies show “a moderate benefit” for glucosamine sulfate and a slightly greater benefit for glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate when used for osteoarthritis of the knee or hip to treat pain (3). The only study that examined results for treatment of osteoarthritis of the spine did not have a large enough number of patients to support or reject the use of glucosamine sulfate and/or chondroitin sulfate.

Osteoarthritis Treatments: Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate Supplements

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

For patients who have evidence of osteoarthritis in their spine (as seen on an x-ray) and who have had other causes of back pain and neck pain ruled out by their health care provider, glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate may be a treatment option.

While glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin have been taken orally since the 1960’s in Europe, it is only recently that these supplements have been used in the United States as an alternative treatment for osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease.

Effectiveness of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate for Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Osteoarthritis treatments

Conventional medicine does not yet have a proven treatment to stop or slow the progression of osteoarthritis. The nutritional supplements, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, have emerged as a treatment alternative for some patients suffering from osteoarthritis pain.

Glucosamine: How Glucosamine Helps Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate are naturally occurring substances found in the connective tissues of the body, including the cartilage that covers the ends of bones in the joints.

How glucosamine helps osteoarthritis

Glucosamine sulfate functions as the primary building block for proteoglycans, large molecules in cartilage that give it viscoelastic (buffering) properties. When taken orally, glucosamine sulfate is absorbed readily into the system and can be traced to cartilage as soon as four hours after consumption.
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Pool Therapy to Relieve Osteoarthritis Pain

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:04:47 -0800

Practical Point
Some osteoarthritis patients refer to pool therapy as a form of "floating traction", allowing them to stretch their spine and loosen and flex joints in a way that would be impossible on a mat.

Pool therapy for osteoarthritis

Anyone who has slipped into the comfort of a warm bath already has some appreciation for the benefits of pool therapy.

Osteoarthritis Exercises

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:04:47 -0800

While it may seem paradoxical, for those with so much osteoarthritis pain that it hurts to move, exercise is actually beneficial and will help manage the pain.

Exercise helps manage osteoarthritis pain in a number of specific ways, including:

Common Causes of Lower Back Pain

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:30:17 -0800

Facet Joint Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

More Osteoarthritis Info:

Osteoarthritis Diagnosis

Osteoarthritis Complete Treatment Guide

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

While there is currently no proven treatment to stop or slow the progression of osteoarthritis in the spine, there are treatments to alleviate the pain and other associated symptoms, and for most people the condition will not become debilitating. Some patients with osteoarthritis have minimal or no pain, and may not need treatment.

Osteoarthritis Diagnosis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

Any patient experiencing back pain or stiffness in a joint or joints for more than two weeks should see his or her physician for an evaluation. The evaluation usually consists of a discussion of symptoms and a detailed medical history, a physical examination and—if osteoarthritis is suspected—a series of x rays. Other tests (blood tests, MRI or CT scans) may be performed to confirm the presence of spinal arthritis or to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as a tumor, infection, fracture, or other types of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis Medications

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

Many different medications are used to control the pain associated with spinal arthritis. Two important factors that must be considered in medications are the level of the patient’s pain and the potential side effects of the medication. Even nonprescription drugs should be checked for side effects.

Understanding Osteoarthritis of the Spine

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

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Osteoarthritis Treatments

Cervical Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

Pain from Cervical Osteoarthritis

Just as in the lumbar spine, the facet joints in the cervical spine can degenerate and lead to osteoarthritis of the cervical spine. The pain associated with osteoarthritis tends to:

Non-Surgical Osteoarthritis Treatments

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

There are several conservative care (non-surgical) options available that are the first line of treatment to help alleviate the pain and stiffness caused by spinal arthritis and associated disc degeneration. Most treatment plans will include a combination of these options, based on assessing several factors for the individual patient, such as: severity of the osteoarthritis, which joints are affected, nature of the symptoms, other existing medical conditions, age, occupation, lifestyle factors and everyday activities.

Hip Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

Hip osteoarthritis, a breakdown of cartilage in the hip joint, can often cause symptoms of back, hip, and leg pain. Often patients with arthritis in the back will also have it in other joints, and it can be difficult to distinguish which area may in fact be the cause of the patient’s pain.

Exercise for Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

This category of treatment focuses on general physical fitness as well as specific activities to strengthen muscles around arthritic joints, and to increase joint mobility while adequately supporting affected joints to prevent injury. Helpful techniques include physical therapy and exercise (both land- and water-based).

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

Osteoarthritis is characterized primarily by stiffness and pain in the joints, although not everyone with osteoarthritis actually experiences pain and disability. The stiffness and pain tend to be worse in the morning (particularly for about 30 minutes after waking up) and again in the evening, often called “first movement pain” with improvement during the day as the person carries on his or her daily activities. Pain that awakens one during the night is often an indicator.

Other symptoms can include:

Surgery for Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

Although osteoarthritis tends to be chronic, the symptoms are rarely progressive and rarely require surgery on the painful spinal joints. Surgery may be needed for certain patients with severe cases of spinal arthritis that leads to instability of the joint (degenerative spondylolisthesis) or nerve root pinching (spinal stenosis).

More Osteoarthritis Treatments

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

In addition to the treatments discussed above, many patients with osteoarthritis and degenerative discs report that some or all of the following treatments are beneficial to managing the level of pain from their condition.

More Osteoarthritis Info: