The spine is composed of a series of vertebrae, interspersed with cartilaginous discs that cushion their movement. The skull is supported at the top of the spine, and a triangular shaped bone called the sacrum lies at its lower end. The spinal column is designed to accept the countless demands imposed upon it by an active lifestyle, but as with any part of the body, it is not invulnerable. A number of factors can cause the components of the spine to erode and lead to osteoarthritis.
Repetitive Strain Injuries
When a person's activities demand excessive repetition of a physical task, those particular movements inflict an inordinate amount of wear on the joints involved. Repetitive strain injuries can erode the cartilage that lines the surfaces of joints, and prompt the development of osteoarthritis. Dr. Charles Ray, a neurosurgeon with Spine-Health, notes that repetitive strain injuries are a common cause of spinal osteoarthritis in athletes and other persons whose vocations involve repetitive motion.
Trauma
An injury to the spinal column can initiate a chain of events that results in osteoarthritis. Trauma that causes spinal fractures, vertebral disc displacement or tears to the connective tissue can disrupt the normal biomechanics of the spine, causing the subluxated vertebral components to grind against each other. This can damage cartilage and eventually even lead to erosion of the bone and the formation of bone spurs, which are characteristic of osteoarthritis.
Excess Weight
Obesity forces the skeletal system to carry a heavier load than may be structurally supportable, resulting in erosion of joint surfaces that are compacted together by excessive weight. Seven percent of obese patients have spinal osteoarthritis as a result of their condition, according to the "Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation." This is due to both the tendency of excess weight to cause hyperextension of the lower spine, and the effects of obesity on common daily movements such as standing, walking and bending.
Other Diseases
Systemic diseases can sometimes result in spinal osteoarthritis as a complication. Gout, for example, occurs when excess levels of uric acid build up in the bloodstream. This buildup can be due to an increased production of uric acid, which is a waste product formed by the metabolism of substances called purines, or it can be due to a reduction in the excretion of uric acid in the urine. Regardless of the precise mechanism by which gout occurs, excess uric acid pools around the joints and forms crystals. These sharp-edged structures can cause damage to the spine when they form within the vertebral joint capsules, ultimately resulting in spinal osteoarthritis.
