Spinal Inflammatory Arthritis

Inflammatory arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune disorders cause the body to mistakenly attack its own immune system. Normally, the immune's systems B and T cells work together to find, attack and destroy foreign substances, such as a virus or toxin. Evidence of antibody production is found in the blood.

In people with healthy a healthy immune system, the body produces antibodies that help fight disease and illness. However, in patients with inflammatory arthritis, antibodies attack the joints and ligaments, including those in the spine.

Inflammatory arthritis is set apart from osteoarthritis, the more common form of joint degeneration. This article provides information about three types of inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine.

• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
• Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

This article series will help you learn how these disorders are treated, including:

• How doctors detect and diagnose spinal inflammatory arthritis
• When spine surgery may be considered
• Why osteoporosis may become a risk factor for spinal fracture
• Understand related medical terms