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Not all people with IBD develop arthritis, and of those who do, not all get it in the spine. Reactive arthritis in the spine usually occurs in the lower back and tends to go away on its own.Įnteropathic arthritis is a form of arthritis linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Reactive arthritis is joint inflammation triggered by infection somewhere else in the body - often in the bowel or the genitals. Although more common in smaller joints, it may also affect the spine. People typically develop psoriasis before arthritis, but sometimes it is reversed. Psoriatic arthritis is a condition associated with psoriasis - an autoimmune disorder better known for the itchy, scaly rash. In severe cases, several vertebrae may fuse together and cause a hunch in the back. There are several forms of spondyloarthritis - some are more common in the spine than others:Īnkylosing spondylitis is a type of spinal arthritis that may cause inflammation of the vertebrae and the sacroiliac joints at the base of the spine. Spondyloarthritis, although inflammatory by origin, is not the same as rheumatoid arthritis. Spondyloarthritis is a group of inflammatory diseases that affect both the joints and the locations where the ligaments and tendons attach to the bones (entheses). It may cause back pain (and pain in other joints) even when these joints are not in use. Rheumatoid arthritis of the spine is not caused by wear and tear, so it’s considered an inflammatory arthritis. Although rheumatoid arthritis is more common in other joints, it can also affect the spine, specifically the cervical region (neck). It attacks synovium - the lining of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the immune system turns on itself. Arthritis in the neck doesn’t always cause pain, and many people have no noticeable symptoms. When these degenerative changes occur in the neck, this condition is called cervical spondylosis. This leads to more friction and more damage to the cartilage. As discs between the vertebrae become thinner, more pressure is transferred to the facet joints. In some cases, degeneration of the spinal discs ( degenerative disc disease) may contribute to facet joint arthritis. It is also known as facet joint arthritis, facet joint syndrome and facet disease.
![spine vertebrae spine vertebrae](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/oww-files-public/d/d0/Spine.jpg)
Osteoarthritis of the spine usually affects the facet joints between the vertebrae. Past back injuries may also contribute to the development of degenerative arthritis of the spine. Because the pain is from mechanical damage, it is typically more noticeable when you bend or twist your back. As the cartilage between the joints slowly breaks down, it leads to inflammation and pain. It usually affects the lower back and develops through wear and tear. Osteoarthritis (noninflammatory or degenerative arthritis) is the most common form of spinal arthritis. Although all arthritis leads to inflammation, arthritis is categorized as inflammatory and noninflammatory (degenerative) based on its origin. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, and most of them may affect the back or neck. Presence of certain conditions such as diabetes, gout, psoriasis, tuberculosis, irritable bowel syndrome and Lyme disease Other spinal arthritis risk factors include: Genetic components have been identified in connection with some forms of spinal arthritis, meaning that it may be hereditary. Besides normal wear and tear and autoimmune triggers, in many cases the exact cause remains unknown. The causes of arthritis in the back or neck vary depending on the type of arthritis you have. Spinal arthritis treatment may include pain medications, steroid injections, physical therapy and surgery in severe cases. Pain and stiffness are the most common symptoms of spinal arthritis.Ĭauses of spinal arthritis are still largely unknown except for osteoarthritis, which is typically a result of wear and tear. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis to affect the spine.Īrthritis can occur anywhere along the spine, but is more frequent in the lower back and neck.