According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis is a complex family of musculoskeletal disorders that is not fully understood. Arthritis has many causes and can get in the way of or stop physical activity as different types of tissue are destroyed. Osteoarthritis, a condition caused by gradual wear and tear on the joints, is the most common.
Many medications, procedures and other treatments exist that may alleviate some of the pain. Possible procedures include injecting joints with steroid and medial branch blocks. The first method of treatment is usually a pairing of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and low-impact exercise such as yoga or water aerobics. For those suffering from arthritis pain in the back and neck, a medial branch block may be an effective treatment. If the arthritis is severe enough, relief may only come with a full joint replacement.
