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What is Spinal Arthritis?

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Posted: Jan 27, 2021 | by admin | 0 Comment

Black man holding his hands on lower backWhen the simple act of bending down to tie shoes or to pick up a box turns painful, your first instinct may be to remedy the situation with a pain patch or pill, then watch your posture going forward. If you deal with chronic back pain you may assume further pain isn’t related to another condition. Should said pain give rise to issues in other joints, however, you may wish to speak with a physician about the possibility of spinal arthritis.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a rare form of back pain that affects about 300,00 Americans. It affects the joints between the vertebrae and sacroiliac joint, which connects the bones of the pelvis, and may cause pain in other joints in the ankles and knees. AS may also contribute to other conditions such as headaches and blurry vision. Because of the rarity of this illness, it may be misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, or other types of arthritis.

Ankylosing spondylitis is characterized by specific symptoms, including:

  • Back pain that increases in intensity over a period of time, usually two to three months
  • Lower back pain and pain in the buttocks region
  • Pain or stiffness that’s more intense in the morning or after long periods of inactivity

No cure for AS exists, but medication treatment such as NSAIDs can help reduce the pain and prolong degenerative issues. At Bon Secours Virginia Orthopaedic & Spine Specialists, our physicians help patients with diagnosis and treatment of all types of arthritis. If you believe your back pain may be a sympton of akylosing spondylitis or other illness, contact us today.

 

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