One of the most common places to experience pain is the back or spine, and a frequent cause of it is arthritis. Arthritis is a very common condition that affects the musculoskeletal system. It causes joints to experience symptoms such as pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of range of motion. Eventually, arthritis leads to a deterioration of the affected joints.
Types of Arthritis that Affect Your Back
A few types of arthritis can affect the spine, including osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is also the most common to affect the spine. It is also called wear-and-tear arthritis because it often develops from repeated injuries or overuse of a joint. Osteoarthritis occurs when your cartilage – the protective, connective tissue on the ends of your bones – wears down. As a result, the ends of the bones meeting at the joint rub against one another and cause pain. Osteoarthritis can easily develop in the vertebrae that make up the spine. The most common symptom is localized pain in a specific area of the back affected by the condition.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis, which is a condition that causes skin cells to excessively grow and form scaly and itchy patches. Common symptoms include joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. It is most common to experience joint stiffness in the mornings or after extended periods of rest. Psoriatic arthritis commonly affects the fingers, ankles, elbows, and knees, but it can also affect the spine.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is another type of inflammatory arthritis that is caused by the immune system attacking the synovium lining in joints. Rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects multiple joints in the body at the same time, unlike osteoarthritis. Like its counterparts, however, the spine can also be affected by rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms of Back Arthritis
The symptoms of arthritis in your back vary slightly based on the specific type of arthritis you have, but the pain is a common symptom of any type. The pain may be piercing, dull, or aching. The pain is likely to be less severe in the beginning and will become worse as the condition progresses and the affected joints become more damaged.
You are also likely to experience stiffness and lose some range of motion in your back. Symptoms of arthritis, such as stiffness and pain, may be worse in the mornings with certain types of conditions, like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition to your back pain, some kinds of arthritis can cause other symptoms, such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and fever.
Orthopedic Surgeon for Back Pain in Plantation, FL
At Baylis & Brown Orthopedic Surgeons, we have talented and experienced surgeons who can diagnose and treat your back pain. Whether your back pain is caused by arthritis, another condition, or an injury, we can help you find long-term relief.
Book an appointment with Baylis & Brown Orthopedic Surgeons, serving Plantation and the surrounding areas. Call us at (954) 476-8800, or fill out our online contact form.
