What is back pain?

I am 52 years old, recently I have had back pain and stiffness, poor mobility, and difficulty turning my head to the back.

My family has a history of arthritis in the knees and hands. Do I have arthritis in the spine? How should I treat it? (Nguyen Thi Diem, Tien Giang )

Reply:

Stiff back pain, poor mobility, and difficulty turning the neck can be signs of many diseases. Some common causes include paraspinal muscle spasms, spinal degeneration, autoimmune diseases that cause arthritis in the spinal area... Joints that have a high level of activity and bear a lot of gravity, such as the cervical and lumbar spine, are most affected.

Arthritis causes swelling, pain, and stiffness in the joints. Arthritis often occurs in joints that are used a lot in daily activities, such as the hands, knees, and even the spine (which has more than 30 small vertebrae stacked on top of each other).

The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (often called degenerative arthritis) and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that covers the ends of bones wears away, often related to age and joint use. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is a condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing pain and swelling. If left untreated, the bones and joints continue to wear away, which can lead to deformity.

To accurately determine the disease and have an appropriate treatment regimen, you should see a doctor for a direct examination. Sometimes you have to do some more blood tests and X-rays to find the cause of arthritis. Depending on the specific condition, the doctor may prescribe one or more treatment methods such as medication, physical therapy, surgery...

In daily activities, patients should exercise regularly at an appropriate intensity. Simple exercises such as walking, cycling... help improve musculoskeletal strength and reduce symptoms. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce pressure on bones and joints, thereby reducing pain and slowing the progression of the disease. Do not smoke, limit alcohol use, and get enough rest.

MD.CKI Nguyen Tan Vu
Department of Orthopedics, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

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