Osteoarthritis Relief

Patients who suffer from occasional or increasing stiffness, pain or numbness of the back or extremities may need spinal osteoarthritis relief. Osteoarthritis of the spine, also known as cervical or lumbar spondylosis, is progressive with age and may result in complications that affect the nerves of the body. It is at this stage that symptomatic pain may increase from stiffness to cramping or shooting pain.

When osteoarthritis affects the vertebrae and discs of the neck, pain may radiate to shoulders and arms. If spondylosis of the lower portion of the spine has set in, pain may begin in the hips and spread to the legs. In either case, there may be numbness in these areas or tingling of the hands or feet. Moist-heat therapy or over-the-counter pain medications give some relief from symptoms for a time.

Complications Require Stronger Osteoarthritis Relief

Managing symptoms is a temporary fix, as some complications of spinal osteoarthritis can threaten other aspects of health. As the cartilage of discs wears away with age, the body may produce abnormal growths to protect the area. So-called bone spurs provide a measure of relief, but also reduce the space within the spinal canal where the nerves rest. When the space decreases so much that the nerves are compressed, symptoms worsen.

At this point, physical relief will come only from treating the cause of the problem. With advanced arthroscopic surgery, vertebrae can be reshaped, bone spurs removed and discs repositioned to restore spinal equilibrium and bring relief. Patients of the Bonati Institute enjoy the success of comprehensive treatment in over 90 percent of osteoarthritis cases.