Spinal Arthritis Treatment in Tampa, Florida
Spinal Arthritis: Lasting Treatment, Not Just Pain Management
If you have been told your spinal arthritis is something you will just have to live with, you may not have heard the full story. Spinal arthritis, also known as facet joint arthritis or spondylosis, is one of the most undertreated conditions in spine care. Many providers are quick to dismiss it as an inevitable consequence of aging, offering pain management as the only option. At 360 Ortho & Spine, that is not the conversation patients have.
At 360 Ortho & Spine in Tampa, Florida, Dr. Stefan Prada offers the laser procedure for spinal arthritis, a minimally invasive treatment that targets the sensory nerves within the affected facet joints and permanently ablates them to stop the pain signals they send to the brain. Unlike recurring injections or pain management therapies that only address symptoms temporarily, this is a permanent procedure that treats the structural source of arthritic spine pain directly. No metal implants, no fusion, and a recovery significantly faster than traditional surgical alternatives.
If spinal arthritis has been dismissed or inadequately treated, there may be a lasting solution available to you. Request a consultation at 360 Ortho & Spine today.
What Causes Spinal Arthritis and How Is It Treated?
Understanding Spinal Arthritis and the Facet Joints
The facet joints are paired joints located at the back of each vertebra that allow the spine to flex, rotate, and extend. Like any joint in the body, the cartilage within the facet joints can degenerate over time, leading to bone-on-bone friction, inflammation, and pain. This is spinal arthritis, and it goes by several names, including facet disease, facet hypertrophy, facet syndrome, and facet arthropathy, but they all describe the same underlying process.
What Causes Spinal Arthritis?
Spinal arthritis is primarily caused by age-related degeneration of the facet joint cartilage. As degenerative disc disease causes disc height loss, the vertebrae shift and the facet joints absorb increased stress, accelerating the arthritic process. Prior spine injuries, including whiplash injury from auto accidents, can also trigger facet joint damage that produces arthritic symptoms. The condition most commonly affects the lumbar and cervical spine.
Spinal Arthritis Symptoms
Spinal arthritis typically causes localized neck or lower back pain that worsens with movement, prolonged sitting or standing, and changes in weather. The pain originates in the inflamed facet joints and can radiate into the arms or legs in more advanced cases. Morning stiffness and pain that improves briefly with activity before returning are also characteristic of the condition.
Why Spinal Arthritis Is Often Undertreated
Many providers are dismissive of spinal arthritis because it is common and considered degenerative. Patients are frequently told that nothing can be done beyond pain management. What is less commonly known is that the specific sensory nerves within the facet joints that generate the pain signal can be precisely targeted and permanently ablated using laser energy, providing lasting relief without the risks of larger surgical interventions.
Spinal Arthritis Treatment at 360 Ortho & Spine
Dr. Prada treats spinal arthritis using:
- Laser Procedure for Spinal Arthritis: A minimally invasive procedure that uses laser energy to permanently ablate the sensory nerves within the affected facet joints, stopping pain signals at their source without metal implants or fusion
This procedure is performed through a small incision under laparoscopic guidance, with minimal disruption to surrounding tissue and a recovery significantly faster than conventional open surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of spinal arthritis?
Spinal arthritis typically produces localized neck or lower back pain that worsens with movement, prolonged positioning, and changes in weather. Stiffness, especially in the morning, is common. In more advanced cases, inflamed facet joints can cause pain that radiates into the arms or legs. Patients often find that symptoms ease briefly with gentle movement before returning with sustained activity.
What causes spinal arthritis?
Spinal arthritis develops as the cartilage within the facet joints of the spine degenerates over time. Contributing factors include age, disc height loss from degenerative disc disease, prior injuries including whiplash, and genetics. As the facet joints lose their protective cartilage, the sensory nerves within them become a persistent source of pain. The condition is progressive without treatment and rarely resolves on its own.
Is spinal arthritis treatable without recurring injections or open surgery?
Yes. At 360 Ortho & Spine, Dr. Prada performs the laser procedure for spinal arthritis, a single minimally invasive procedure that permanently ablates the sensory nerves within the affected facet joints. Unlike steroid injections that require repeated visits and provide only temporary relief, this procedure addresses the source of the pain permanently and does not involve metal implants or fusion.
How do I find a spine doctor near me for spinal arthritis treatment?
Finding a spine doctor near you who offers the laser procedure for spinal arthritis rather than just injections or pain management can be challenging. Scheduling with Dr. Prada at 360 Ortho & Spine in Tampa, Florida, is simple: request a consultation online or call our office, and our team will reach out to help you plan your visit. We look forward to helping you find relief that lasts.