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Osteoarthritis Pain
Severe or wide-ranging osteoarthritis pain is an abnormal symptomatic expression of a completely normal age-related condition. Arthritis involves the structural degeneration of the bones, cartilage and joints in the body.
Spinal arthritis
most often affects the lumbar and cervical regions, since those are the areas that get the most use and abuse. Arthritis is an expected part of the aging process for most people.
Osteoarthritis Pain Symptoms
Osteoarthritis pain is difficult to characterize. Most patients with arthritis suffer no pain or symptoms whatsoever, or simply minor occasional aches. Some patients experience dull chronic pain in the affected region of the back. A minority of patients suffer severe pain that might cause functional
disability.
Arthritis pain can be dull or sharp, chronic or acute. Pain can be related to general or specific movement, or may become worse when the patient is inactive. In cases where arthritis may affect a neurological structure, pain may exist a great distance away from the actual degenerative changes. This can make diagnosis a very subjective and inaccurate science to be sure.
Spinal Osteoarthritis Pain
Arthritis in the spine
is a normal event. Aging causes changes in our anatomy and the spine is not immune. The
spine
is a complicated structure with many different types of tissue working closely together. There are many joints that arthritis can attack. This makes the spinal column an ideal target for arthritis to set in. However, most patients do not experience any particularly severe symptoms from their spinal arthritis. However, if arthritic debris or spur formation occurs around the neuroforaminal spaces or inside the central canal, then all bets are off. These scenarios can source painful symptoms, although they may also be completely innocent if not severe enough to actually compress the nerve tissue. Once again, more variables to consider...
Osteoarthritis Nocebo Effect
The diagnosis of spinal arthritis is often the #1 reason for pain to begin. Patients are often pain-free or suffer minor non-affective discomfort and have their arthritic condition diagnosed during a routine visit to their doctor. The doctor SHOULD inform the patient that arthritis is completely normal, yet they seldom do. More often, the patient is frightened by the diagnosis and will receive a powerful
nocebo reaction
that may lead to the start of painful symptoms. Many doctors choose to describe spinal arthritis as
degenerative joint disease.
This name really scares the life out of some patients who have visions of some rampant disease eating away at their spine. It can be a frightening experience for sure…
Osteoarthritis Pain Summary
Do not
fear
typical spinal osteoarthritis. You can’t stay young forever, but old age does not have to bring pain and suffering. Stand up to arthritis and learn the facts about this condition. Even if you are in the minority who does experience moderate to severe pain, take heart. Arthritis can be treated with many conservative options and rarely requires surgery. Relax your mind about the dangers of common spinal arthritis and your future will be likely be great. Give in to the fear factor and
osteoarthritis
will hold power over you till the end of your days.
Osteoarthritis Pain to Back Pain
12/16/06 Revised 12/11/11
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THIS ARTICLE BY:
Sensei Adam Rostocki
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