Arthritis of the spine exists as two general types: degenerative and inflammatory. Degenerative spinal arthritis (termed spondylosis) is the "wear and tear" type often caused by nutritional deficiencies, trauma, poor posture or overuse. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), spondylosis accounts for more than 80 percent of all spinal arthritis. Spondylosis affects the entire spine and is considered common among both sexes beyond the age of 45. Physical affects primarily include disc degeneration and bone spur formation.
Nutritional Deficiency
Malnutrition in modern first-world peoples is more common than typically assumed. The dietary quantity (calories) is rarely deficient, but the dietary quality (vitamins, minerals, fiber) often is. A two-fold problem then arises. First, too many calories without enough activity results in obesity, which puts excessive strain and force on the lumbar spine, accelerating joint degeneration. Second, few vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins C and D, calcium and magnesium, inhibit normal bone and ligament development, which makes the bone and joints more susceptible to wearing out and becoming arthritic. The typical American diet is acidic, which also puts the body in crisis because the blood must be kept to a pH between 7.2 to 7.3. Consequently, alkaline minerals such as calcium and magnesium are liberated from the bones into the blood and other tissues, which create weak and deformed bones leading to arthritic joints.
Macro Trauma
Trauma is a common cause of arthritis in the entire spine. Macro trauma includes motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries and serious falls which can lead to spinal fractures, dislocations, disc herniations, misalignments and sprains. Once a serious trauma changes the positioning, curvatures and movements of the spine (termed "biomechanics"), certain segments are forced to bear too much weight or move in unnatural ways, which creates "wear and tear" and eventually arthritis. The cervical spine is most susceptible to whiplash from car accidents, whereas the lumbar spine suffers more from falls and sports injuries.
Micro Trauma
Micro trauma can also be a contributing factor for spinal arthritis. Examples include, poor posture such as sitting in a chair all day or stomach sleeping at night, repetitive movements, which might be job- or sports-related, and detrimental activities such as jogging on pavement or operating a jack hammer. Micro trauma can slowly overwork joints, sprain ligaments and strain tendons, all of which create inflammation and arthritis over time. Micro trauma is cumulative.
Idiopathic
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, almost all varieties of inflammatory spinal arthritis are idiopathic, which means of unknown cause. Rheumatoid arthritis affects mainly women and is classified as an auto-immune disorder, but the cause has not been firmly established. Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the spine (usually the thoracic region) affecting mainly younger adult males, but its etiology still remains a mystery.
References
- "Essentials of Skeletal Radiology"; Terry R. Yochum, D.C.; 2004
- "Chiropractic Management of Spine Related Disorders"; Meridel I. Gatterman, D.C.; 2002
- Medline Plus: Arthritis
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Arthritis Stats
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Rheumatoid Arthritis
