Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, can affect any joint in the body, but it most commonly impacts the hands, knees, hips, and spine. This condition leads to pain and swelling and can cause the formation of osteophytes, also known as bone spurs. In the spine, osteoarthritis deteriorates the cartilage in the joints and discs of the neck and lower back, causing discomfort and stiffness.
Osteoarthritis typically develops as people age. Younger people may contract it for any of the following reasons:
- Joint damage or trauma
- A cartilage-related genetic abnormality
What are the benefits of Osteoarthritis Spine Treatment India?
Benefits after surgery include overall weight loss if necessary, followed by everyone maintaining a healthy weight. In addition to aiding in weight management, treatment can:
- Increase flexibility
- Strengthen the heart
- Uplift the spirit.
- Increased blood flow
Who needs Osteoarthritis Spine Treatment in India?
Osteoarthritis spine treatment in India typically advances gradually and commonly targets the painful spinal joints. Surgery is seldom needed. During diagnosis, your doctor may inquire about your medical history and conduct a physical exam to assess symptoms like back pain, limited range of motion, and swelling before diagnosing you with spinal osteoarthritis.
If a patient experiences additional symptoms such as weakness, it’s important to inform the doctor. In some cases, for patients with severe spinal arthritis causing joint instability (degenerative spondylolisthesis) or nerve root compression (spinal stenosis), surgery may be necessary. These conditions often occur together because unstable joints tend to enlarge over time, ultimately leading to spinal canal stenosis.
How is Osteoarthritis Spine Treatment done?
In India, the cost of osteoarthritis spine treatment typically ranges from INR 1,00,000 to 5,50,000. Various types of treatments are available to address osteoarthritis. Following a knee implant, patients generally stay in the hospital for approximately 7 to 10 days.
- Surgery for Spinal Fusion in Osteoarthritis: Spinal fusion surgery is indeed the primary surgical solution for spinal arthritis, as it halts motion at the affected joint. Another term for spinal fusion is arthrodesis.
- Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery: Artificial discs are designed to maintain motion in deteriorated facet joints, but complete disc replacement surgery is not recommended for individuals with osteoarthritis of the facet joints. Currently, artificial disc surgery is considered experimental and is typically recommended only for people with degenerative disc disease who do not have facet joint pathology.
- An artificial replacement for a disc: The aim of fusion surgery is to stop motion in the affected joint, thereby alleviating pain, as it’s the motion in the joint that causes discomfort. However, multi-level fusions of the spine are generally not recommended for osteoarthritis of the spine. This is because the arthritic condition often affects multiple vertebral levels in the spine, either initially or over time.
- Arthritis of the Spine: In cases where spinal arthritis is damaging the nerves in the spine, surgery to decompress the nerve roots may be an option. As mentioned earlier, spinal arthritis can lead to the formation of bone spurs, also known as osteophytes. These bony growths develop in the spine due to friction in the arthritic joint.
- Back pain with bone spurs (Osteophytes): When a nerve is impinged, treatment may be necessary. Patients may experience symptoms in their arms and/or legs, such as pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness, depending on the location of the affected nerve.
- Spinal Stenosis: Spinal stenosis treatment often involves laminectomy surgery, which is used to remove bone spurs. The goal of laminectomy is to alleviate pain and neurological issues by removing thick ligaments and bone spurs that contribute to discomfort.
What are recovery and post-op care after Osteoarthritis Spine Treatment?
Recovery from osteoarthritis spine treatment typically takes 2 to 4 days after lumbar spinal fusion surgery. Most patients are discharged from the hospital and allowed to go home, especially if there are others present to assist. After a few weeks, if you’re not relying on opioid medications, you can gradually resume driving. It’s important to observe post-operative care for optimal spinal health, including limiting sitting time to 20 to 30 minutes at a stretch and taking short walks during the initial two weeks after surgery.
What are the risks and complications of Osteoarthritis Spine Treatment?
During osteoarthritis surgery, one significant risk is poor ambulation, which is often experienced by patients and can particularly impact the elderly population. Patients with knee osteoarthritis need to recognize risk factors and consider therapeutic options to address this issue.
Complications of osteoarthritis spine treatment involve being vigilant for any potential symptoms of spinal OA. This condition often worsens over time and may progress. While some individuals may only have mild symptoms or discomfort initially, untreated OA can eventually interfere with daily activities and result in long-term disability.
Osteoarthritis Spine Treatment cost in India are as follow
Treatment | Cost in USD | Stay in Hospital |
Osteoarthritis Spine Treatment | 3500-4000 | 2-4 Days |
Spondylolisthesis Spine Treatment | 4500-5500 | 1-2 Days |
Degenerative Disk Spine | 10500-11500 | 2-3 Days |
Meningiomas Treatment | 4000-4500 | 8-10 Days |
Scoliosis Surgery | 8500-9500 | 5-7 Days |