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Arthritis is a common condition that causes inflammation in the joints, resulting in pain, stiffness, and swelling. Spinal arthritis, or arthritis in the back, can lead to inflammation in the vertebrae and sacroiliac joints at the base of the spine. While back pain is a well-known symptom of spinal arthritis, it is less commonly known that arthritis in the back can also cause muscle spasms. This occurs when the muscles in the back suddenly tighten up, resulting in painful twinges, seizures, or contractions. Lower back spasms are more common, but any muscle in the back can go into spasm. In addition to arthritis, back spasms can also be caused by anxiety, stress, trauma, or other serious disorders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common symptoms of spinal arthritis | Pain, stiffness, and swelling |
| Types of spinal arthritis | Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, enteropathic arthritis |
| Causes of spinal arthritis | Wear and tear, autoimmune triggers, genetic components, other health conditions |
| Risk factors | Age, tobacco use, sex, family history |
| Treatment options | Pain medications, steroid injections, physical therapy, surgery, exercise, stretching, yoga |
| Back spasms | Can be caused by muscle strain, stress, and anxiety |
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What You'll Learn
Spinal osteoarthritis
The treatment for spinal osteoarthritis aims to relieve symptoms and improve a person's ability to function. Initial treatment may include weight loss and exercise, such as swimming, walking, and water aerobics. Pain medications, such as over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and topical ointments, can also be used to manage pain. In more severe cases, steroid injections, physical therapy, and surgery may be considered.
Most cases of spinal osteoarthritis can be treated without surgery. However, in some instances, surgery may be necessary to stabilize the spine or relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. Overall, spinal osteoarthritis is a common condition that can cause significant back pain and stiffness, and effective treatments are available to manage the symptoms.
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Rheumatoid arthritis
RA can cause muscle pain, which may include spasms, cramps, or aches. These spasms can be treated with heat therapy, which improves muscle function by reducing stiffness and muscle spasm. RA can also cause muscle fatigue and reduced muscle strength. In addition, the disease can lead to myositis (muscle arthritis).
RA can cause unstable joints, a creaking sound during movement, swelling, inflammation, and an inability to bend or straighten the fingers. It can also lead to neuropathy, causing numbness or a "pins-and-needles" feeling in the hands or feet. This is known as rheumatoid vasculitis, which affects blood vessels and can cause nerve damage. Other symptoms of RA include stiff, painful joints, fatigue, skin rashes, hair loss, vision problems, fever, loss of appetite, and changes to bones, muscles, skin, eyes, nerves, and the immune system.
Treatments for RA include medications to reduce joint inflammation, nondrug therapies such as exercise, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
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Psoriatic arthritis
Arthritis in the back can cause muscle spasms. Spinal arthritis is a common condition that can cause back pain and stiffness. While the causes of spinal arthritis are largely unknown, it is often associated with osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative condition that affects the cartilage in the vertebral facet joints of the lumbar spine.
The main symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, which can affect any part of the body, including the spine. It can cause sausage-like swelling of the fingers and toes, foot pain, and lower back pain. In some cases, psoriatic arthritis can lead to a condition called spondylitis, resulting in inflammation of the vertebrae and sacroiliac joints at the base of the spine.
Treating psoriatic arthritis is crucial to managing symptoms, preventing joint damage, and reducing associated inflammation. While there is no cure, treatments have advanced significantly, and research into new therapies and a potential cure is ongoing. Biologic, biosimilar, and oral systemic treatments are commonly prescribed to target the immune system and manage symptoms. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment improve the chances of controlling psoriatic arthritis and preventing permanent joint damage.
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Reactive arthritis
The symptoms of reactive arthritis usually start around one to four weeks after an infection. It often affects the knees, ankles, feet, heels, buttocks, and low back. Reactive arthritis causes joint pain and swelling, and can also affect the eyes, skin, and urethra. The skin around the joints might feel hot and appear red, and there may be a rash or sores on the genitals. Eye inflammation, or conjunctivitis, is also common in people with reactive arthritis. Reactive arthritis usually goes away within six months but can last longer or come back. It can also lead to another type of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.
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Spondyloarthritis
The most common type of SpA is axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), which includes two subtypes: ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA). Both subtypes primarily cause inflammation in the joints of the spine and pelvis. Ankylosing spondylitis is a variant of SpA that affects young adults and can result in chronic pain and stiffness in the back. It is associated with inflammation in the spine and sacroiliac joints, where the pelvis connects with the tailbone. In severe cases of ankylosing spondylitis, several vertebrae may fuse together, causing a hunch in the back.
The HLA-B27 gene is often present in patients with axial spondyloarthritis, but it is not a definitive indicator of the disease. Diagnosis of spondyloarthritis involves a thorough medical history evaluation and a physical examination. Blood tests to determine HLA-B27 status and measure inflammation markers, as well as imaging studies to detect inflammation and rule out other potential causes, are also utilised.
Treatment options for spondyloarthritis vary depending on the type and severity of the illness. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate or sulfasalazine are commonly used in patients with peripheral arthritis but are not effective for spinal inflammation. Biologics, including TNF inhibitors and IL-17A inhibitors, are second-line drugs for treating spinal inflammation in conditions like ankylosing spondylitis. Physical therapy and joint-directed exercises are crucial for maintaining joint and heart health, promoting spinal extension, and slowing disease progression.
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Frequently asked questions
Arthritis in the back can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and fatigue. The lower back is the most common site of arthritis back pain.
Treatments for arthritis in the back include pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, exercise, heat or cold therapy, joint protection, pacing your activities, and self-help skills. In severe cases, surgery may be required.
Yes, arthritis in the back can cause muscle spasms. This is because the inflammation associated with arthritis can irritate and damage nerves, leading to muscle spasms.
