Arthritis Lumbar Spine - An Introduction
Arthritis Lumbar Spine or Lumbar Arthritis affects the lower back and causes pain, inflammation, and loss of motion in the lower back and pelvic area. The word Arthritis means inflammation of the joints and results in a number of diseases. All of them have a few conditions in common, such as pain, swelling, and stiffness in joints.
The joints of the body are adjoined by cartilage that absorbs shock. With time, cartilage stops its regeneration function, and this results in arthritis. There are various causes that result in lumbar arthritis.
When you reach the age of twenty, spinal disks begin to lose the cartilage that adjoins them and their elasticity. They even lose their suppleness and also their height. Sometimes, this leads to a change of position of vertebrae and ligaments connected to them. This can result in tears in the disk tissue. However, the true cause of lumbar arthritis is not really known, but aging is considered to be one of its cause. Some people have a hereditary tendency to develop osteoarthritis. People who are over-weight and who have faced back-injuries are also at high risk to be afflicted with lumbar arthritis. Menopause can also be a reason in women to develop osteoporosis, which is a disease caused due to weakening of bones due to lack of calcium.
There can be various symptoms of lumbar arthritis. The most common one is inflammation, pain, and swelling in the joints. And if you have lumbar arthritis, the pain can reach up to the pelvic region. Gradually, you can feel an increase in the discomforts faced. This condition becomes chronic as time passes by. But if treated properly, the pain of arthritis can be brought under control. A diagnosis of the lumbar arthritis symptoms is essential. The cause of the pain is to be identified first. Tthis can be a complicated task as lumbar arthritis may be accompanied by several other problems such as sciatica, or degenerative disk disease. Extreme back pain occurs in the region between the lower rib cage and the buttocks. Sometimes, this pain can reach the knees, but generally not beyond that. Your doctor may ask you to take several tests which may show if the pain is due to lumbar arthritis or lumbosacral arthritis. More than one type of arthritis at a time is also a possiblity. However, some X-rays and MRIs are also taken to confirm the diagnosis. The treatment of arthritis lumbar spine or lumbar arthritis is based on the control of pain through prescription of non-steroidal medicines and sometimes even surgery. Increased physical fitness may help in lumbar arthritis. A set of exercises is also recommended to help in this. Weight reduction is also advised. Massages, acupuncture, and physiotherapy can also be of much help in the treatment of arthritis.
| 
