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Spinal column
X-rays showing osteoarthritis of the spinal column are frequent, but very often there are no symptoms. It affects three regions of the spinal column:
Cervical osteoarthritis
It is almost constant on x-rays after 40 years of age. It sometimes manifests itself by stiffness of the neck and painful spots accompanied by cervicalgia (neck pain) which may become chronic (continuous pain for more than 3 months) accompanied by acute bouts of pain following trigger factors.
Dorsal osteoarthritis
It manifests itself by pain in the middle region of the back. It can also lead to pain in the chest. Hence the symptoms may be difficult to pin down (the patient sits on one buttock), pain on breathing or on touching the back.
Lumbar osteoarthritis
This is the most frequent spinal location. Pain is present every day, but becomes more intense during activities or prolonged static positions. Its evolution may lead to long term pain on walking, accompanied by pains which disappear shortly after stopping.
