Spondylosis

If you suffer from spondylosis, please Schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists as soon as possible.

What is Spondylosis?

Spondylosis, also known as spinal osteoarthritis, is a degenerative condition that affects the spine. Age-related changes in the spine’s structures, such as the discs, vertebrae, and facet joints, commonly cause spondylosis. Moreover, the primary characteristic of spondylosis involves the breakdown and deterioration of the spinal discs, the cushions between the vertebrae. Over time, these discs lose elasticity and water content, becoming thinner and less able to absorb shock or provide spine flexibility.

Furthermore, this degeneration of the discs can lead to various symptoms and complications. Spondylosis may entail the development of bone spurs, or osteophytes, along the edges of the vertebrae and facet joints. These bony outgrowths can narrow the spinal canal or neural foramina, the passageways for nerve roots, resulting in compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots. This compression can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected areas.

What are the Symptoms of Spondylosis?

Spondylosis produces symptoms through gradual degeneration of spinal discs and joints, which affects movement and nerve function. Patients experience pain that develops in the neck or lower back, often worsening with activity or prolonged posture. Nerve compression sometimes triggers radiating discomfort, and reduced spinal flexibility limits normal motion during daily tasks.

  • Neck or lower back pain develops and often increases with movement or strain
  • Stiffness limits spinal flexibility, especially after rest or waking
  • Radiating pain travels into shoulders, arms, buttocks, or legs when nerves compress
  • Tingling or numbness spreads along affected nerve pathways
  • Muscle weakness reduces grip strength or leg stability in some cases
  • Headaches emerge when cervical spine degeneration irritates nearby nerves
  • Balance problems appear when spinal cord compression affects coordination

Causes of Spondylosis

Spondylosis develops when normal aging and long-term stress damage spinal structures. Aging gradually wears down intervertebral discs, and reduced disc hydration lowers shock absorption across the spine. Repeated mechanical strain from heavy lifting, poor posture, or repetitive movement accelerates disc breakdown and facet joint degeneration. Bone spurs form as the body responds to joint wear, and these bony growths narrow spinal spaces and irritate nearby nerves. Genetic factors influence disc strength and cartilage resilience, which increases risk in some individuals. Previous spine injuries also trigger earlier degeneration by disrupting normal alignment and joint mechanics. Smoking reduces blood flow to spinal tissues and speeds disc deterioration, while obesity increases mechanical load on the spine and intensifies wear over time.

Treatments for Spondylosis

Specialists manage spondylosis by starting with conservative care and escalating treatment should symptoms worsen. In mild to moderate stages, specialists recommend physical therapy to strengthen core muscles, improve posture, and increase spinal mobility while patients use low-impact exercise like walking or swimming to maintain function. Providers recommend NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce pain and inflammation. When muscle tightness develops, specialists may use muscle relaxants or perform epidural steroid injections to reduce nerve irritation and radiating pain. Patients also adjust ergonomics and daily activities to reduce spinal strain. In severe cases, surgeons perform decompression procedures such as laminectomy to relieve nerve pressure and may use spinal fusion to stabilize the spine, followed by rehabilitation to restore strength and mobility.

 

 

If you would like to speak to one of our Orthopedic Specialists, give us a call at 817-697-4038, or contact us over the web. Tele-medicine appointments are also available.