Osteoarthritis is a condition that describes the deterioration of cartilage and bone, often occurring as a result of age-related degeneration as well as other factors like illness, obesity or injury. This condition typically is mild in nature and does not present any symptoms. However, if a joint becomes arthritic, the cartilage begins to erode, potentially tearing completely.

As a result, this condition may lead to the development of bone spurs. These bony protrusions can compress the nerve root or spinal cord, possibly creating severe symptoms of pain, inflammation, stiffness, joint lockage and loss of motion in the joints. If you believe that you are suffering from osteoarthritis of the spine, it is important to consult your doctor immediately to evaluate your condition and prevent your symptoms from worsening.

Treating osteoarthritis of the spine

If your arthritis of the spine is serious, conservative treatments such as pain medication, physical therapy, anti-inflammatories and chiropractic care will likely be unable to manage your symptoms. Therefore, surgical intervention may be required to provide you with the lasting relief that you have been searching for.

There are two types of treatment available for osteoarthritis relief: traditional open spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery. Traditional procedures are highly invasive in nature, requiring the use of a 6- to 8-inch incision that cuts or tears the muscles surrounding the spine. Also, as opposed to minimally invasive outpatient procedures, traditional procedures require a two- to five-day hospital stay, resulting in a high risk of infection and complication.

Minimally invasive spine surgeries, like the procedures performed at USA Spine Care, use small incisions that do not unnecessarily disrupt the muscles or ligaments surrounding the spine, allowing for a safer and effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery.^ Our procedures offer a lower risk of infection and complication compared to traditional open spine surgery.^ To learn more about the advantages of our muscle-sparing procedures, contact USA Spine Care today.

Learn more about minimally invasive osteoarthritis of the spine surgery

As the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, USA Spine Care has performed more than 75,000 patient procedures since 2005. Our board-certified+ surgeons are able to remove part or all of the bone or tissue compressing the nerves in the spine. A stabilization device may also be inserted, depending on the severity of the condition. To find out if you are a potential candidate for our osteoarthritis of the spine surgery, reach out to our dedicated team and ask for a free MRI review.*