Spinal arthritis most often osteoarthritis affects the facet joints in the spine and may also involve inflammation in nearby tissues or nerve compression
1. Localized Back or Neck Pain
- Dull, aching pain in the lower back or neck
- Worsens with activity, improves with rest
- Often worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity
2. Stiffness
- Reduced range of motion
- Especially after waking up or sitting for long periods
- Gradually improves with movement
3. Swelling or Tenderness
- Around affected spinal joints (especially in inflammatory types like ankylosing spondylitis)
4. Grinding or Popping Sensation
- Feeling or hearing a grating or popping sound when moving
- Due to roughened joint surfaces or bone spurs
5. Nerve-Related Symptoms (if nerves are compressed)
- Radiating pain to arms (cervical) or legs (lumbar)
- Numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness
- Often called radiculopathy
6. Fatigue
- Due to chronic pain or associated inflammatory disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
