Spine Arthritis a Common Issue Among Older Patients

Spine Arthritis

Anyone who’s been stricken with arthritis anywhere in the body knows how painful it can be.

Sadly, the type known as spine arthritis (or osteoarthritis) is quite common, so there are countless individuals walking around with severe pain caused by this degenerative joint disease, which happens as a result of a breakdown of the cartilage of the joints and discs in the neck and lower back.

Spine arthritis most often affects those who are over the age of 50, though the disease can strike those who are younger as well, particularly men. Sometimes the arthritis is work-related and is especially prevalent in those who have jobs that require repetitive motion. Constant heavy lifting may be a cause as well. In addition, spine arthritis is most often found in post-menopausal women and those who may have a family history of osteoarthritis or other congenital joint or spine defects.

Spinal arthritis is also associated with carrying excess weight. Anyone who is obese – or even somewhat overweight – will have an increased risk of developing spine arthritis. The presence of diabetes and other forms of arthritis may also prompt the development of osteoarthritis.

All of these facts explain why spine arthritis is so common among adults, especially older adults, so it’s no wonder spine specialists so often find themselves taking care of patients with this disorder. And no wonder treatment is so often sought! Spine arthritis can be painful to the point of debilitating, keeping the sufferer from performing job duties, working around the house, taking care of children or grandchildren, or simply enjoying leisure activities.

There are many treatments offered for the spinal arthritis victim and, happily, many of them are non-surgical. But first, each patient must be thoroughly assessed so that you – the specialist – can learn of the extent of the disease. You’ll be looking for things like which joints are affected, the severity of the arthritis, and the nature of the patient’s symptoms. You’ll also need to know some in-depth information about the patient, including his or her age, how active they are, their occupation (and what it involves), and if they have pre-existing medical conditions.

Once all of that knowledge is gathered, it’s time to explain to the patient just what’s causing their pain. To do that, you’ll need the help of a fully-dynamic spine model where you can demonstrate the specifics of spine arthritis, how it affects the patient, and why they’re experiencing pain. So, before you prescribe rest, heat or cold therapy, anti-inflammatories, or other solutions, pull out a model from Dynamic Disc Designs (DDD) and put your patient’s mind at ease.

Hybrid Split Lumbar Model-Details

Two Faced Hybrid Lumbar Model

It’s never easy to hear that something is “wrong” with your spine, but with a solid explanation of the problem via a model that looks and moves just like the real thing, patients can take a deep breath and relax a little, knowing why they’re suffering as they are and what they can do to reduce their pain. While their spine arthritis won’t likely go away, a good understanding of the situation can help them comprehend what will aggravate their problem and what will help it.

DDD’s models are one-of-a-kind and spine specialists who use them say there’s nothing better for patient education. Furthermore, they are available in a variety of price ranges and can be “bundled” at a discounted price if more than one is needed. Furthermore, DDD owner and designer Jerome Fryer is on hand to help you choose the models that are right for your practice. A simple phone call or email allows you to tap into his vast knowledge of the spine. In the meantime, you can browse the Dynamic Disc Designs website for more information on each model.

“While I have used many models for patient teaching over the years, these models are so much more accurate and realistic. The dynamic design allows the patients to understand the pathology of disc herniation very clearly. I strongly recommend these models for patient education and surgical consent discussions.”
– Ali Moshirfar, MD

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