Diagnosing Osteoarthritis for the Spine

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Diagnosing Osteoarthritis for the Spine

• Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative
  disease, is a condition where the cartilages
  which protect the joints face wear and tear. This
  causes swelling and pain.  Osteoarthritis in
  spine breaks down the cartilages in the disc and
  joints in the neck and the lower back.  Sometimes
  Arthritis causes spurs which puts pressure on the
  nerves leaving the spinal column. This can cause
  weakness and pain in the arms or legs. In
  general, older people get osteoarthritis. Young
  people also get it due to different causes like
  injury or trauma to the joint or a genetic defect
  involving the cartilage.
• The best way to diagnose this issue is through
  X-rays. The doctor would additionally need to
  know the medical history of the patient, to see
  if they have pain, tenderness or motion related
  issues in the neck or lower back or any
  involvement of nerves such as weakness, reflex
  changes or loss of sensation. Doctor may order
  certain tests like X-rays, blood tests and MRI
  scan.

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Treatment Methods

• Initially, conservative treatment methods like
  weight loss and mild exercises for losing weight.
  Lifestyle/Weight Management is utmost necessary
  as obesity can make osteoarthritis even more
  worse. Exercising can not only help in losing
  weight but also in increasing flexibility,
  improving mood and attitude, improving the blood
  flow, strengthen the heart and also make your
  daily tasks easier to perform.
• Other than exercises like swimming, walking and
  water aerobics, the Physiotherapy and
  Exercise session may include exercises like
  strengthening exercises, which makes the muscles
  that supports the joints stronger, aerobic
  exercises to make the heart and circulatory
  system stronger and range of motion exercises to
  increase the flexibility of the body.

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Treatment Methods

• Pain Relief Medications can also be used to
  treat Osteoarthritis. Over-the-counter products
  include acetaminophen. Non-steroidal anti
  inflammatory drugs include aspirin, ibuprofen
  etc. But these medications may have some side
  effects.
• Facet Joint Injections are taken if the pain
  remains unmanageable after trying all the
  possible methods to treat Spinal
  osteoarthritis. Facet Joint Injection is used as
  a diagnostic and therapeutic tool, which can be
  very effective. These injections just take around
  20 to 30 minutes. These injections are limited to
  three, within a six month timeframe.

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About Dr Jwalant S Mehta

• Dr Jwalant S Mehta is a consultant spinal surgeon
  who has specialized in treating spinal conditions
  and deformities. He has completed spinal
  fellowships in Bristol and Columbia, Missouri and
  USA. He has been a full time spinal surgeon since
  2009. He is actively involved in teaching and
  research as well. His practice mainly focuses on
  rectifying children and adult spinal issues and
  deformities. Even then, he treats all spinal
  conditions and spine related deformalities.
• Dr Mehta is experienced in treating many spinal
  conditions and deformities like Adolescent
  Idiopathic Scoliosis, Adult Spinal
  Deformity, Neuromuscular Scoliosis, Early onset
  scoliosis, Spondylolisthesis, congenital
  scoliosis and Scoli Zone

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Contact Us

• Clinical secretarySamantha Leavy 44 785 021
  1939
• Medico-legal secretaryJan Clarke 44 121 4508928
• Spire Parkway Hospital0121 704 5500
• Spire Parkway Self Pay 0121 704 5530
• BMI Priory0121 446 1638 (appointments)
• BMI NEC (National Enquiry Centre) 0808 101 0337
• Email secretary_at_mehtaspine.co.uk