Arthritis of the Spine Free eBook

There are multiple changes that can be found in the spine that fall under the term “arthritis.” The most common findings are changes in the shape and size of the spinal discs. The discs are flat and thick but will change shape and become sloped or thinner.

Another finding is the vertebra body changing shape or position. The vertebra can sometimes slide slightly forward or backward in relation to the bone below it.

There are lots of bumps and curves to the spine. Osteophytes, which are outcroppings that grow on the outside of the bone and are also known as bone spurs, can occur anywhere on a spine vertebra (Culvenor et al 2019).