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Spinal Arthritis Diagnosis & Treatment
A spinal arthritis diagnosis is not always a simple task, as this type of back ailment can mimic others. The tenderness, numbness and/or limited range of motion you may experience could also be caused by degenerative disc disease, bulging or herniated discs, or another back condition. Because of this, doctors use a variety of methods to confirm that spinal arthritis is the true cause of pain. A physician may first start with an interview about your symptoms, including questions about when they’re worst, whether or not certain activities cause flair ups, and exactly where you feel pain. From there, the doctor will likely observe your movements and may ask you to demonstrate your range of motion. The doctor may order blood tests or other lab work to ensure that your back pain isn’t stemming from a serious condition with a nearby organ. For visual confirmation during spinal arthritis diagnosis, doctors often use MRIs and CT scans.
If it’s confirmed that you do have spinal arthritis, the following treatments may be used to manage your symptoms:
- Special exercises
- No Hot and cold compresses
- Limited bed rest
- Over-the-counter medication for pain and/or inflammation
- Physical therapy
If none of these conservative methods reduce your symptoms substantially, your doctor may recommend surgery. While arthritis can’t be cured with any procedure, the pain associated with it can be curbed by removing some of the swollen tissue that may be compressing nerves and causing discomfort. This can be accomplished at Laser Spine Institute by using minimally invasive methods that are effective as well as gentle on the body.
If you’ve had a positive spinal arthritis diagnosis and you’d like to find out more about how we can treat it at Laser Spine Institute, contact us today. We’ll review your MRI or CT scan and let you know if we can help.