Spinal Arthritis (Arthritis in the Back or Neck)

Spinal arthritis is inflammation of the facet joints in the spine or sacroiliac joints between the spine and the pelvis. It may be related to wear and tear, autoimmune disorders, infection and other conditions. Sometimes, the inflammation may also affect the sites where ligaments and tendons attach to the bones of the spine. Regardless of the exact location, arthritis in the back or neck can be painful and often becomes chronic.

Spinal Arthritis Causes and Risk Factors

The causes of arthritis in the back or neck vary depending on the type of arthritis you have. Besides normal wear and tear and autoimmune triggers, in many cases the exact cause remains unknown. Genetic components have been identified in connection with some forms of spinal arthritis, meaning that it may be hereditary.

Other spinal arthritis risk factors include:

• Age

• Excess weight/obesity

• Presence of certain conditions such as diabetes, gout, psoriasis, tuberculosis, irritable bowel syndrome and Lyme disease.

Types of Spinal Arthritis

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, and most of them may affect the back or neck. Although all arthritis leads to inflammation, arthritis is categorized as inflammatory and noninflammatory (degenerative) based on its origin.

Osteoarthritis of the Spine

Osteoarthritis (noninflammatory or degenerative arthritis) is the most common form of spinal arthritis. It usually affects the lower back and develops through wear and tear. As the cartilage between the joints slowly breaks down, it leads to inflammation and pain. Because the pain is from mechanical damage, it is typically more noticeable when you bend or twist your back. Past back injuries may also contribute to the development of degenerative arthritis of the spine.

Osteoarthritis of the spine usually affects the facet joints between the vertebrae. It is also known as facet joint arthritis, facet joint syndrome and facet disease. In some cases, degeneration of the spinal discs (degenerative disc disease) may contribute to facet joint arthritis. As discs between the vertebrae become thinner, more pressure is transferred to the facet joints. This leads to more friction and more damage to the cartilage.

When these degenerative changes occur in the neck, this condition is called cervical spondylosis. Arthritis in the neck doesn’t always cause pain, and many people have no noticeable symptoms.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Spine

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the immune system turns on itself. It attacks synovium — the lining of the joints. Although rheumatoid arthritis is more common in other joints, it can also affect the spine, specifically the cervical region (neck). Rheumatoid arthritis of the spine is not caused by wear and tear, so it’s considered an inflammatory arthritis. It may cause back pain (and pain in other joints) even when these joints are not in use. It tends to affect women more than men.

Spondyloarthritis

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). Spondyloarthritis, although inflammatory by origin, is not the same as rheumatoid arthritis.

There are several forms of spondyloarthritis — some are more common in the spine than others:

• Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of spinal arthritis that may cause inflammation of the vertebrae and the sacroiliac joints at the base of the spine. In severe cases, several vertebrae may fuse together and cause a hunch in the back.

• Psoriatic arthritis is a condition associated with psoriasis — an autoimmune disorder better known for the itchy, scaly rash. People typically develop psoriasis before arthritis, but sometimes it is reversed. Although more common in smaller joints, it may also affect the spine.    

• Reactive arthritis is joint inflammation triggered by infection somewhere else in the body — often in the bowel or the genitals. Reactive arthritis in the spine usually occurs in the lower back and tends to go away on its own.

• Enteropathic arthritis is a form of arthritis linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Not all people with IBD develop arthritis, and of those who do, not all get it in the spine. Enteropathic arthritis flare-ups tend to sync with IBD flare-ups, but the timing and intensity may vary from person to person.

• Other forms of spondyloarthritis include undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (when symptoms don’t match any of the known types) and juvenile spondyloarthritis (when symptoms begin in childhood).

According to a different classification, if a particular type of arthritis involves the spine and/or sacroiliac joints, it is called axial spondyloarthritis. If other joints and tendons are involved, this is called peripheral spondyloarthritis. Many people experience both types at different points in the progress of their spondyloarthritis.

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What are the symptoms of spinal arthritis?

Symptoms of spinal arthritis may differ from person to person. In general, they may include:

• Back and neck pain, especially in the lower back

• Stiffness and loss of flexibility in the spine, such as being unable to straighten your back or turn your neck

• Swelling and tenderness over the affected vertebrae

• Feeling of grinding when moving the spine

• Pain, swelling and stiffness in other areas of the body (especially in inflammatory arthritis)

• Whole-body weakness and fatigue (more common in inflammatory arthritis)

• Pain and numbness in your arms or legs if the nerves are affected

• Headaches (in case of arthritis in the neck)

Although back pain is a common symptom, not all people have it, even those with advanced spinal arthritis. On the other hand, some may experience pain even before arthritis can be seen on an X-ray.

In certain types of spondyloarthritis, eye inflammation (iritis or uveitis) may occur, causing pain, watery eyes and blurred vision.

Spinal Arthritis May Contribute to Other Issues in the Spine

Bone spurs that formed on the facet joints are pressing on the nerve roots exiting the spine.

Spinal arthritis may cause bone spurs — overgrowths on the edges of the bones. In the spine, bone spurs particularly affect facet joints, making them grow larger. This condition is called facet joint hypertrophy. Although bone spurs on their own are not harmful, they may narrow the passages for the spinal cord and the nerves exiting the spine. This may lead to two painful conditions:

• Spinal stenosis – compression of the spinal cord inside the spinal canal

• Radiculopathy – pinching of the peripheral nerves as they exit the spine (sciatica is one type of radiculopathy)

Ankylosing spondylitis (the slow calcification of the ligaments between the vertebrae) may also cause additional problems such as:

• Stress fractures in places where new bone has formed

• Collapsed vertebrae

• A spinal deformity called kyphosis

How is spinal arthritis diagnosed?

Your doctor may use some or all of the following diagnostic methods to confirm spinal arthritis:

• Medical history and physical exam

• Blood tests for genetic markers and/or RA antibodies

• X-rays of the spine to locate the arthritic joint

• MRI, CT scan, myelography, bone scan and/or ultrasound to zero in on the damage, detect nerve and spinal cord involvement or rule out other causes

• Joint aspiration: testing of the synovial fluid inside a joint

To pinpoint the painful joint, your doctor may numb it with an injection and check whether the pain goes away.

How is spinal arthritis treated?

The treatment for spinal arthritis depends on many factors. They may include your age, level of pain, type and severity of arthritis and personal health goals. Because the joint damage caused by arthritis is irreversible, the treatment usually focuses on managing pain and preventing further damage.

Nonsurgical treatments for spinal arthritis may include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids (pills or injections) to reduce pain and swelling

• Other medications targeting specific symptoms or triggers of inflammatory arthritis

• Physical therapy to improve back muscle strength and range of motion in the spine

• Lifestyle changes to reduce inflammation or stress on your spine: losing weight, quitting smoking, changing your posture, etc.

Surgery for Spinal Arthritis

Surgery may be recommended for spinal arthritis if other treatments don’t sufficiently relieve pain. The goals of the surgery may include:

• Decompressing the spinal cord and freeing up the nerve roots from bone spurs and other tissues that may be pressing on them

• Stabilizing the spine by fusing several segments together in a procedure called spinal fusion

These surgeries can be performed as open procedures or with a minimally invasive approach. There are pros and cons to each method. The surgeon will review and discuss the options before the operation.