This is a disease of the spine indicating degenerative changes, sometimes referred to as arthritis of the spine. It can happen at any level (cervical, thoracic or lumbar) and results in different types of pain including mechanical and radicular pain.
CAUSES
Primarily this is caused by aging and normal wear and tear. With time, the components of the spine, including the vertebrae, the discs between the vertebrae, and the joints of the spine rub against one another, causing pain.
SYMPTOMS
Cervical Spine: neck, shoulder and arm pain. Radicular symptoms may occur including numbness, weakness in the arms or legs.
Thoracic Spine: upper chest and abdomen pain, and may cause numbness, tingling and weakness in the legs
Lumbar Spine: lower back, buttocks, and leg pain; and may cause numbness, tingling and weakness in the lower leg. This is often times worsened with sitting, twisting, lifting and bending.
TREATMENT
This varies based on severity of degeneration, and symptoms patients describe. It includes anti- inflammatory medications, physical therapy, water therapy, back braces, spinal injections and in severe cases, surgery.