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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Arthritis In Lower Back Spread?

I was just diagnosed with arthritis in my lower back today. I have decided to try steroid injections to ease the swelling and the pain. I understand this should help with the pain. However, I forgot to ask the doctor if this arthritis can spread or enlarge. i know this is something that is not going to go away unless I opt for the surgery, which I am trying to avoid. Can or what are the chances that the arthritis will spread into other parts of my back (back bone)?
Fri, 20 Mar 2015
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Arthritis is a degenerative disease and it does not spread to adjoining sites.
However, the degenerative process can involve some other joint also besides the lower back joints.
The arthritis is most common in the joints of lower back and is controlled by appropriate medication.
The drugs halt the ongoing degenerative process but do not reverse the disease process.
The arthritis has a waxing and waning course and long term treatment is required.
Osteoarthritis is also a degenerative condition which affects the knee joints.
This is an age related and degenerative disorder.
Osteoarthritis can also arise as a separate disease process unrelated to arthritis of lower spine.
In addition, I suggest you to get a blood test for HLA-B27 because this is the most common abnormality associated with arthritis of lower back.
Consult your orthopedician for prescription of this test.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
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Can Arthritis In Lower Back Spread?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Arthritis is a degenerative disease and it does not spread to adjoining sites. However, the degenerative process can involve some other joint also besides the lower back joints. The arthritis is most common in the joints of lower back and is controlled by appropriate medication. The drugs halt the ongoing degenerative process but do not reverse the disease process. The arthritis has a waxing and waning course and long term treatment is required. Osteoarthritis is also a degenerative condition which affects the knee joints. This is an age related and degenerative disorder. Osteoarthritis can also arise as a separate disease process unrelated to arthritis of lower spine. In addition, I suggest you to get a blood test for HLA-B27 because this is the most common abnormality associated with arthritis of lower back. Consult your orthopedician for prescription of this test. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri