Senior Care News

Three Types of Spinal Arthritis

Discover how 24-hour home care can support individuals with spinal arthritis by providing round-the-clock assistance for pain management and daily activities.
24-hour home care can be a vital support to seniors with spinal arthritis wishing to age in place.
24-hour home care can be a vital support to seniors with spinal arthritis wishing to age in place.

24-hour home care can be a vital support for individuals suffering from arthritis, which can affect any joint in the body, including the spine. Spinal arthritis occurs when the facet joints in the spine or the sacroiliac joints between the spine and pelvis become inflamed, most commonly impacting the upper or lower back. This type of arthritis often leads to chronic pain, making daily activities increasingly challenging.

With 24-hour home care, those affected can receive consistent assistance to manage their symptoms and maintain their quality of life.

 

Three Types of Spinal Arthritis

Osteoarthritis of the Spine

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis to affect the spine. This type of arthritis usually develops with age, as normal wear and tear causes cartilage to break down between the joints and create a painful rubbing of bone against bone. This can lead to inflammation and chronic pain that can make bending, twisting, or stretching painful. Osteoarthritis of the spine usually affects the facet joints between the vertebrae, leading to increased friction and damage to the cartilage.

 

Spondyloarthritis

Spondyloarthritis is an inflammatory disease where both the joints and the locations where the ligaments and tendons attach to the bones are affected. In some cases, it can cause several vertebrae to fuse and restrict mobility.

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Spine

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder. When a person has RA, their immune system turns on itself. With RA, the immune system attacks the lining of the joints. Although rheumatoid arthritis is more common in other joints, it can also affect the spine, especially the area of the neck.

 

Spinal Arthritis Symptoms

24-hour home care providers can provide essential support for loved ones dealing with arthritis of the spine, as symptoms can vary depending on the affected area. These symptoms may not always be obvious and can fluctuate with overuse or changes in the weather.

  • Stiffness and loss of flexibility in the spine.
  • Tenderness and swelling around the affected vertebrae.
  • Pain located in the back and neck, especially in the lower back.
  • A grinding feeling when the back is moved in a certain way, like twisting or turning.
  • Fatigue and whole-body weakness.
  • Numbness or pain that extends to the legs and arms if nerves are affected.
  • Headaches

 

Living with Spinal Arthritis

For your elderly loved one, spinal arthritis can become so extreme that she might find herself in a place where she can no longer perform her daily activities on her own. She might find that she needs help with personal care activities like taking a shower, brushing her hair, or even cleaning up after using the toilet.

Spinal arthritis can make it difficult for her to navigate her home or perform certain home chores like carrying a large load of laundry or bending over to pull a roast out of the oven.

If your loved one wants to remain in her home but needs the assistance of a care team around the clock, 24-hour home care can be the solution. With 24-hour home care teams, your loved one will have someone at the home at all times, but not living in her home.

Instead, she will have a team of 24-hour home care providers who alternate shifts, so someone is always awake and ready to assist when she needs it. She’ll have someone always there, no matter what time of day she needs help, ensuring that she doesn’t injure herself while allowing her to retain her independence.

 

 

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering 24-Hour Home Care in Chandler, AZ, please contact the caring staff at Legacy Home Care today. Call (480) 777-0070

Legacy Home Care is a top provider of home care services in Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, Sun Lakes, Chandler, Gilbert, Apache Junction, Queen Creek, Phoenix, and surrounding areas.

Jack Coito

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