There is no cure for arthritis of the spine, a common age-related condition caused by continual wear and tear on the spinal joints that results from daily living. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean a life of back pain. Many people are able to live comfortably with arthritis in the back. In most cases, the key is working with a physician to find an appropriate treatment plan, and then adjusting the plan as necessary over time.

Is surgery required to effectively treat arthritis in the back?

Effective treatment for arthritis of the spine does not necessarily mean surgery. In fact, many people are able to find the relief they need with conservative treatment and health-enhancing lifestyle changes. For instance, most spinal arthritis symptoms, including back pain, numbness, muscle weakness and tingling sensations, often respond well to:

• A brief period of rest — whenever symptoms flare
• Regular exercise — to strengthen the muscles that support the back
• Medications — to relieve pain and reduce inflammation
• Weight loss (if necessary) — to reduce stress on the spinal joints
• Alternative treatments — such as therapeutic massage, chiropractic manipulation and acupuncture

When necessary to address severe pain that persists through conservative treatment, decompression surgery may be an appropriate way to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or a spinal nerve root. While the idea of surgery can seem intimidating, a highly invasive open spine procedure may not be the only option.

Where to turn for information about minimally invasive surgery for arthritis in the back

If you continue to experience poor quality of life after several weeks or months of conservative arthritis of the spine treatment, contact USA Spine Care. Our orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons perform minimally invasive outpatient surgery as a safer and effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery, allowing our patients to benefit from a shorter recovery time and lower complication rate.^ If you’d like, we can provide a free MRI review* to help determine if you are a candidate.