Arthritis in hips and lower back symptoms

Arthritis in hips and lower back symptoms

What is spinal arthritis?

Arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints. It is not a single disease, but instead comprises more than 100 types and can affect various parts of the body. Spinal arthritis describes the inflammation that occurs between the joints of the spine or the joints between the spine and the pelvis.

Types of spinal arthritis

Osteoarthritis/ spondylosis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of spinal arthritis, usually affecting the lower back. It occurs when the cartilage between the joints slowly breaks down due to injury, daily wear and tear, or other joint-related conditions, leading to inflammation and pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the lining of the joints, called the synovium. Commonly seen around the neck, rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect more women than men.

Spondyloarthritis

Spondyloarthritis is a group of inflammatory diseases that affects the joints as well as regions called entheses (where ligaments and tendons attach to the bones). There are several forms of spondyloarthritis, including the following which are more commonly seen in the spine than others:

  • Ankylosing spondylitis – Inflammation of the spinal bones (vertebrae) and the joints at the base of the spine that connect to the pelvis. Severe cases result in several vertebrae fusing together, causing a hunched back.
  • Psoriatic arthritis – Arthritis that is associated with psoriasis, an autoimmune disorder characterised by itchy and scaly rash. In people with the condition, psoriasis typically precedes arthritis, but the reverse may also occur. Involvement of the spine may result in stiffness due to fusing of the vertebrae.
  • Reactive arthritis – Joint inflammation that is triggered by an infection somewhere else in the body (often the genital, urinary, or gastrointestinal system). In the spine, it is usually seen in the lower back and often resolves on its own.
  • Enteropathic arthritis – Arthritis that occurs in a small proportion of people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Enteropathic arthritis flare-ups often occur simultaneously with IBD flare-ups, with varying timing and intensity from person to person. In the spine, the lower back area is usually affected.

8 symptoms of spinal arthritis

Symptoms of spinal arthritis differ from person to person. However, they generally include the following:

  1. Pain in the back and neck, especially the lower back
  2. Stiffness and restricted movement of the spine
  3. Swelling and tenderness over the affected backbone
  4. Grinding sensation when moving the spine
  5. Pain, swelling, and stiffness in other areas of the body
  6. Whole-body weakness and fatigue
  7. Pain and numbness in the arms and legs if the nerves are affected
  8. Headaches (in cases of arthritis in the neck)

When to see a doctor

If you experience lower back pain or stiffness for more than 2 weeks, you should see a doctor for a medical evaluation.

A diagnosis of spinal arthritis can be broken down to 3 steps. You can expect the following during your consultation with a doctor:

  • Medical history taking – You will be asked to describe your symptoms, other medical conditions, current medications, experience with other treatments, family medical history, and general lifestyle habits, eg. exercise, smoking, and alcohol habits.
  • Physical examination – Aimed at assessing overall general health, musculoskeletal status, nerve function, reflexes, and evaluation of the problematic joints of the back. Your doctor will be looking at muscle strength, flexibility, and your ability to perform daily living activities such as walking, bending, and reaching.
  • Scans and tests – Scans may be ordered to assess the presence or severity of joint damage. This can be visualised with an X-ray. For a more detailed assessment of the spinal canal, spinal cord, nerve roots, discs, and ligaments, a CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be ordered. Blood tests or testing of the synovial fluid inside a joint may also be used to confirm a spinal arthritis diagnosis.

Treatment options

As arthritis is not reversible, the goal of treatment is to control inflammation, pain management, and to prevent worsening of the condition. Treatment can be divided into non-surgical and surgical approaches, depending on several factors including age, level of pain, and type of arthritis and its severity. It is best that you and your doctor discuss treatment options together and decide on a treatment plan that is most suitable for you.

Non-surgical treatments for spinal arthritis may involve the following:

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids for pain and swelling
  • Medications to address specific symptoms or triggers of inflammatory arthritis
  • Physical therapy to improve strength of back muscle and mobility of the spine
  • Lifestyle changes, eg. losing weight, quitting smoking, and correcting posture, to reduce inflammation or stress on the spine

Surgical treatment may be recommended if pain relief is not sufficiently achieved through non-surgical means. The goals of surgery are to decompress the spinal canal to release nerve roots from bone spurs or other tissues pressed on them and to stabilise the spine through a procedure called spinal fusion.

If you have concerns about spinal arthritis, consult an orthopaedic surgeon for an evaluation of your symptoms and to understand your treatment options.

Article reviewed by Dr Razmi Bin Rahmat, orthopaedic surgeon at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital

References

Spinal Arthritis (Arthritis in the Back or Neck), retrieved on 6 July 2020 from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/spinal-arthritis#:~:text=Spinal%20arthritis%20is%20inflammation%20of,disorders%2C%20infection%20and%20other%20conditions. (n.d.)

Osteoarthritis of the Spine, retrieved on 6 July 2020 from https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/arthritis/osteoarthritis-spine (26 October 2016)

Arthritis, retrieved on 6 July 2020 from https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/arthritis#tab-overview (April 2017)

The 5 Most Common Types of Arthritis of the Spine, retrieved on 6 July 2020 from https://swfna.com/5-common-types-arthritis-spine/ (4 January 2018)

What does lower back and hip arthritis feel like?

Stiffness after sitting for a while. Stiffness when getting out of bed. Feeling of grinding or crunching in the joint. Difficulty bending or using the hips for physical activity.

What does it feel like to have arthritis in your hip?

With hip arthritis, the pain is mainly felt in the groin, and occasionally in the outer thigh and upper buttock area. Pain can get worse after standing or walking for long periods of time or after a period of rest (waking up in the morning). Stiffness in the hip makes it difficult to move the hip or rotate the leg.

What does arthritis in lower back feel like?

Stiffness and loss of flexibility in the spine, such as being unable to straighten your back or turn your neck. Swelling and tenderness over the affected vertebrae. Feeling of grinding when moving the spine. Pain, swelling and stiffness in other areas of the body (especially in inflammatory arthritis)

Can my arthritic hip cause back pain?

Osteoarthritis of the hip Age-related degeneration of the hip joint (hip osteoarthritis) can cause pain in the lower back and stiffness in the hip. Hip osteoarthritis causes stiffness and a significant decrease in the hip's range of motion.