Spondylosis
Spondylosis is arthritis of the spine, sometimes called spinal osteoarthritis. Spinal arthritis can affect the cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back), and lumbar (low back) spine. Typical symptoms include inflammation, pain, and stiffness that may limit movement.
Degenerative disorder
Spondylosis is a degenerative, wear and tear disorder related to growing older. This type of arthritis affects the spine’s joints; the facet joints. At the back of each vertebral body is a pair of facet joints. Like other joints, each facet joint is covered in cartilage to facilitate smooth movement. Age- and activity-related spinal degeneration contributes to erosion of cartilage. As cartilage wears away, joints become inflamed, stiff, and painful.
A degenerative cascade of cumulative effects causes spondylosis to alter the spine’s structures. Degeneration at one level can lead to change (deterioration) at another level of the spine. These changes can create stress and increase wear and tear of the spine’s discs and ligaments. Many patients with spondylosis also have degenerative disc disease.
Are you at risk?
Similar to other disorders, some risks are controllable and others are not.
Risks you control
- Balanced diet
- Body weight; extra weight (obesity) stresses spine structures
- Do not smoke (tobacco use)
- Exercise
- Overuse of joints during work or sports-related activities
Risks beyond your control
- Age; everyone ages (arthritis is common in people over age 50)
- Family history of arthritis
- Gender: women are at higher risk
- Spine injury, trauma
Talk with your doctor
Sometimes arthritis symptoms flare up, such as during periods of increased activity, illness, or weather changes. No two patients with spondylosis are the same. Pain that is chronic, severe, and/or progressive is a good indication that you should see your doctor.
Treatment
Few patients require surgery to treat spondylosis. Most patients lead full and productive lives and manage spondylosis with cold/heat therapies, exercise, medications, spinal injections, and alternative treatment such as acupuncture.
Your doctor may recommend a physical therapy program to improve your posture, increase flexibility, and build strength and endurance. Biomechanics and ergonomic training is part of an organized program of physical therapy. Proper posture and movement at rest or during any activity benefits patients with spondylosis.
