Talk to your doctor or a sleep expert for more advice. There are a number of different drugs that can be used to help manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the spine. However, as with all drugs, there may be some side effects. Many people with osteoarthritis will find that painkillers that can be bought over the counter or from shops and chemists, such as paracetamol, can help with pain.
Some people might need to take stronger painkillers, such as compound analgesics or opioid analgesics. Compound analgesics include co-codamol, and opioid analgesics include morphine and tramadol. Ibuprofen can be bought from supermarkets and chemists, but some stronger NSAIDs, such as naproxen and celecoxib, are available on prescription. Some NSAIDs are also available as a cream or a gel and can be rubbed over the affected area to help with pain. If the osteoarthritis in your back or neck is causing you problems with your nerves, there are some drugs that may help.
Amitriptyline can help relax your muscles and improve your sleep, while drugs such as gabapentin or pregabalin work to reduce the effects on your nerves. There are two types of injections that may be used if you are having certain symptoms of osteoarthritis of the spine. A steroid injection , either in the neck or the tailbone, can help with the problems caused by any of your nerves in your spine being irritated.
These should work for a few months. Radiofrequency denervation can be used to treat pain caused by changes to the facet joints. It involves using electrical currents through the tip of a needle to stop the nerve endings in your spine sending pain signals to your brain.
If it works, you can expect it to last for up to two years, and you might be able to have it done again at a later date. Warmth on the affected joints has been shown to reduce pain and stiffness. This can be a bath or shower in warm water, or a heat pack applied to your skin. Different heat packs are available — many of which are reusable and can be heated in the microwave. Some people find that applying ice packs, cold pads or packs of frozen vegetables can be soothing.
When applying heat or cold packs to your skin, make sure you wrap them in a tea towel, rather than putting them on your bare skin, and never leave them on for longer than 20 minutes. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation TENS is a way of relieving pain that involves sending electrical pulses through pads attached to the skin. A physiotherapist or pharmacist should be able to give you advice about the different TENS machines available.
Speak to a doctor about TENS if you have low back pain or a pacemaker, as this treatment might not be suitable for you. The Alexander Technique is a therapy that improves posture, and reduces strain and tension in the spine by teaching new ways of sitting, standing and moving around. Massage and acupuncture can sometimes provide pain relief, alongside exercise. The healthcare professionals treating you should be able to give you information on how to access these treatments.
Osteoarthritis of the spine can often be treated without surgery. Spinal stenosis that is irritating your nerves could lead to pain, numbness and weakness, which could affect your legs and arms. Surgery could involve a small piece of bone or a disc being removed from your spine.
In some cases, two or more of the vertebrae are fused together, to give the spine more stability. Osteoarthritis OA of the spine. Download osteoarthritis of the spine information booklet. Print this page. What is osteoarthritis of the spine?
Strong ligaments surround your spine and support the vertebrae, to help keep them in place. Related information. How will osteoarthritis of the spine affect me? The most common symptoms are: pain in your back or neck stiffness, especially first thing in the morning or after resting crunching or grinding noises when moving your back or neck.
The Arthritis Foundation is focused on finding a cure and championing the fight against arthritis with life-changing information, advocacy, science and community. We can only achieve these goals with your help. Strong, outspoken and engaged volunteers will help us conquer arthritis. By getting involved, you become a leader in our organization and help make a difference in the lives of millions.
Become a Volunteer More About Volunteering. By taking part in the Live Yes! And all it takes is just 10 minutes. Your shared experiences will help: - Lead to more effective treatments and outcomes - Develop programs to meet the needs of you and your community - Shape a powerful agenda that fights for you Now is the time to make your voice count, for yourself and the entire arthritis community.
Currently this program is for the adult arthritis community. Since the needs of the juvenile arthritis JA community are unique, we are currently working with experts to develop a customized experience for JA families. Get Started. As a partner, you will help the Arthritis Foundation provide life-changing resources, science, advocacy and community connections for people with arthritis, the nations leading cause of disability.
Join us today and help lead the way as a Champion of Yes. Our Trailblazers are committed partners ready to lead the way, take action and fight for everyday victories. Our Visionary partners help us plan for a future that includes a cure for arthritis. Our Pioneers are always ready to explore and find new weapons in the fight against arthritis. Our Pacesetters ensure that we can chart the course for a cure for those who live with arthritis.
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When Back Pain May Mean Arthritis Many forms of arthritis and related conditions can cause back pain, stiffness and swelling. Axial Spondyloarthritis Axial spondyloarthritis axSpA is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects hip joints and the joint that connects the bone at the bottom of the spine to the pelvis sacroiliac.
Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis OA is the most common form of arthritis. Psoriatic Arthritis Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects joints and usually the skin psoriasis.
Reactive Arthritis Reactive arthritis often occurs after the genital, urinary or gastrointestinal system gets infected. Enteropathic Arthritis This form of arthritis occurs in about five percent of people with inflammatory bowel disease, which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Spinal Stenosis Spinal stenosis is caused by bony overgrowth of the vertebrae and thickening of the ligaments. Getting a Proper Diagnosis Other common sources of back pain muscle spasms, muscle fracture, abnormal curving of the spine scoliosis , an inflamed sciatic nerve the largest nerve in the body that runs from the lower part of the spinal cord through the buttock and down the back of the leg or an injury to a disk shock absorber in the back.
Track Your Health Share your experience with arthritis to shape research and patient care for yourself and others. The pain may expand to the pelvic area or the sides of the buttocks.
It can also extend into the thighs but rarely spreads to the knees. Symptoms are usually slow to develop and not noticeable at first. However, any rapid movement, twisting, and backward motion in the lower back may cause injury to the lumbar area and symptoms for people with this condition. Lumbar arthritis results from specific types of arthritis.
The most common reason for lumbar arthritis symptoms is OA, with other types sometimes involved. OA is the most common form of arthritis. Lumbar OA occurs when the cartilage that protects the lowest joints in the spine, including the facet joints, breaks down, exposing small nerves within the bone. Persistent damage from OA in the facet joints of the spine eventually causes those joints to wear away.
As a result, the spine bones start to grind and push together with movement, and bone spurs can develop. OA can affect anyone, but it is more common in females and people aged over Risk factors for OA include genetics, a lack of activity, and overweight.
Spondyloarthritis primarily involves the spine and sacroiliac joints. The sacroiliac joints are located between the sacrum and bones of the pelvis, and sturdy ligaments support them. The sacrum is the main support of the spine. According to a review, spondyloarthritis affects about 1. It often affects young adults, teenagers, or children. The most common spondyloarthritis is ankylosing spondylitis.
Spondyloarthritis causes inflammation of tendons and ligaments where they enter bone, which is known as enthesitis. Psoriatic arthritis PsA , a subtype of spondyloarthritis, may also cause lumbar symptoms.
Typically, PsA affects people with psoriasis , but the condition can also occur in people without psoriasis.
Low back pain is a symptom of PsA. In some cases, bony overgrowth can cause the vertebrae to fuse, causing stiffness and pain with movement. Read more about the effects of PsA on the spine here. Enteropathic, or enteric, arthritis is another subtype of spondyloarthritis.
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