Spinal Arthritis

Most arthritis of the spine is degenerative in nature (degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis). Many of these degenerative changes are part of the normal aging process. Osteoarthritis of the spine, which is also known as degenerative disc disease, causes stiffness and activity related pain. In most cases, these symptoms are treated with anti-inflammatory pain medication and physical therapy. Occasionally, these degenerative changes contribute to the pathologic conditions of spinal stenosis, disc herniation, or spondylolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebral body slides forward on another. Spondylolisthesis can usually be treated conservatively. If this fails, surgical fusion is considered.