Osteoarthritis And Back Pain

If you suffer from back pain or know someone who does, you might be wondering about possible causes. The condition called osteoarthritis might be the culprit of your back problems. Here are a few facts to enlighten you and help you in your quest for a cure.


What is osteoarthritis and how does it lead to back pain? In medical terms, osteoarthritis is defined as a metabolic dysfunction of the bones. It is caused by the breakdown and eventually the loss of cartilage in one or more of your joints. This loss of cartilage causes your bones to lose mass and increase porosity at the same time. The more porous your bones become, the weaker it gets as well. This degenerative condition may eventually lead to osteoporosis and increase your risk for fractures.

How is osteoarthritis diagnosed? When testing for osteoarthritis, your doctor will most likely consider etiology aspects such as hyperthyroidism, Cushings syndrome, estrogen deficiency, immobility, liver illness, increase in phosphorus levels, calcium deficiency, protein deficiency, Vitamin D deficiency, bone marrow conditions, and lack of exercise. The wear and tear of your joints may also be checked, as this is also linked to osteoarthritis.

In medical terms, the condition is assessed through the consideration of the rates of bone resorption exceeding the rate of bone formation. Aside from the rise in bone resorption, your doctor will also check for an increase in phosphate, which stimulates the parathyroid activities. If your estrogen exhibits decreases in resorption, that could also be a sign of osteoarthritis.
The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis are Kyphosis (Dowagers hump), back pain, height loss, thoracic damage, joint pain, lumbar damage, unsteady gait, and weakness. If you see your doctor and report these symptoms, you can expect him to request X-rays and photon absorptiometry, among other tests. X-rays help your doctor locate any thinning or weakening of bone structures, increases in the porosity of your bones, and increases in vertebral curvatures. The photon tests will then help your doctor identify any decreases in your bodys minerals.

If your tests show that you are indeed suffering from osteoarthritis, then your doctor will most probably recommend management, interventions, and continued assessments. These further assessments will allow your doctor to prevent potential complications, which include pathologic fractures. In the management of osteoarthritis, remember that no two people are alike, so medical management for the condition varies as well. Generally, though, doctors set up a diet that is rich in calcium and protein. Your intake of essential vitamins and minerals should also be increased.

Another common inclusion in the management of osteoarthritis is the restriction of alcohol and caffeine intake. You may also be advised to perform regular moderate exercises. At the same time, monitoring and lab studies, especially on phosphorus and calcium levels, may continue. Over-the-counter medication may also be prescribed in some cases. Interventions by nursing staff in the setting up of diets, pain and musculoskeletal assessment, medications, home care instructions, monitoring, posture training, and body mechanics support may also be necessary in the course of your treatment.