Arthritis

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms

spine-health — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 08:03:33 -0800

There is a broad range of symptoms caused by ankylosing spondylitis. Although symptoms can vary widely, the first symptoms typically noted by patients include:

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Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis Characteristics

spine-health — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:19:59 -0800

Unfortunately the origins of ankylosing spondylitis are not well understood, but genes and heredity play an important role. A gene called HLA-B27 is found in more than 90% of people with ankylosing spondylitis.

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Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatments

spine-health — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:22:45 -0800

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Effectiveness of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate for Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:09:00 -0800

Osteoarthritis treatments

Conventional medicine does not yet have a proven treatment to stop or slow the progression of osteoarthritis. The nutritional supplements, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, have emerged as a treatment alternative for some patients suffering from osteoarthritis pain.

Understanding Osteoarthritis of the Spine

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

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Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Cervical Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

Pain from Cervical Osteoarthritis

Just as in the lumbar spine, the facet joints in the cervical spine can degenerate and lead to osteoarthritis of the cervical spine. The pain associated with osteoarthritis tends to:

Non-Surgical Osteoarthritis Treatments

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

There are several conservative care (non-surgical) options available that are the first line of treatment to help alleviate the pain and stiffness caused by spinal arthritis and associated disc degeneration. Most treatment plans will include a combination of these options, based on assessing several factors for the individual patient, such as: severity of the osteoarthritis, which joints are affected, nature of the symptoms, other existing medical conditions, age, occupation, lifestyle factors and everyday activities.

Hip Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

Hip osteoarthritis, a breakdown of cartilage in the hip joint, can often cause symptoms of back, hip, and leg pain. Often patients with arthritis in the back will also have it in other joints, and it can be difficult to distinguish which area may in fact be the cause of the patient’s pain.

Exercise for Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

This category of treatment focuses on general physical fitness as well as specific activities to strengthen muscles around arthritic joints, and to increase joint mobility while adequately supporting affected joints to prevent injury. Helpful techniques include physical therapy and exercise (both land- and water-based).

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

Osteoarthritis is characterized primarily by stiffness and pain in the joints, although not everyone with osteoarthritis actually experiences pain and disability. The stiffness and pain tend to be worse in the morning (particularly for about 30 minutes after waking up) and again in the evening, often called “first movement pain” with improvement during the day as the person carries on his or her daily activities. Pain that awakens one during the night is often an indicator.

Other symptoms can include:

Surgery for Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

Although osteoarthritis tends to be chronic, the symptoms are rarely progressive and rarely require surgery on the painful spinal joints. Surgery may be needed for certain patients with severe cases of spinal arthritis that leads to instability of the joint (degenerative spondylolisthesis) or nerve root pinching (spinal stenosis).

More Osteoarthritis Treatments

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

In addition to the treatments discussed above, many patients with osteoarthritis and degenerative discs report that some or all of the following treatments are beneficial to managing the level of pain from their condition.

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Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Facet Joint Osteoarthritis

spine-health — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:13:34 -0800

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Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Osteoarthritis Diagnosis