2. Spondylosis refers to spinal osteoarthritis, or wear-and-tear arthritis. It
is important to differentiate between this and the dozens of other
types of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis, which is an inflammatory
autoimmune disease. Spondylosis can also lead to some inflammation,
but is characterized by the degeneration of the cartilage that lines the
facet joints of the spine.
There are a variety of reasons that facet joint cartilage can begin to
degenerate, the most common of which is natural degeneration
related to the aging process. Other causes include overexertion, poor
posture, genetics, injury, smoking, obesity, and degenerative disc
disease, among others. In many people with spondylosis, a
combination of the above factors may have accelerated the natural
degenerative process. It should be noted, however, that normal levels
of degeneration in the spinal facet joints are not considered
spondylosis. Spondylosis is a more severe condition that can lead to
debilitating, painful symptoms.
3. Symptoms of Spondylosis
It is possible for spondylosis to remain asymptomatic, but many people with the condition experience
mechanical symptoms, radiculopathic symptoms, or both. Mechanical symptoms of osteoarthritis in the spine
may include:
• Joint stiffness and pain
• Joint instability
• Joint lockage or spontaneous “catching”
• Reduced range of motion
• Inflammation
Radiculopathic symptoms may emerge if bone spurs develop in or around the arthritic joint and compress a
nearby spinal nerve root. Common radicular symptoms are:
• Shooting pain
• Parasthesia
• Numbness
• Muscle weakness
Radiculopathic symptoms like those mentioned above tend to travel along the entire path of the nerve root
being compressed. Therefore, spondylosis in the lower back may produce symptoms that radiate through the
buttocks, hips, legs, feet, and toes. Spinal arthritis in the neck can cause similar symptoms in the shoulders,
arms, hands, and fingers, in addition to headaches.
4. Getting a Diagnosis
As with any chronic health condition, getting a diagnosis
from a physician is imperative. If you are experiencing any
of the above symptoms, make an appointment with your
primary care physician for an exam. Be sure to report all
of your symptoms in as much detail as possible. He or she
may be able to diagnose spondylosis on the spot, or you
may be referred to a spine specialist for further tests.
Medical imaging scans like an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan may
also be necessary if the physician wants to pinpoint the
exact location of any nerve compression that may be
involved.
5. Spondylosis Treatment
Spondylosis treatment will almost always
begin nonsurgically with a regimen of
prescription or over the counter
analgesics, anti-inflammatories,
temperature therapy, physical therapy,
behavior medication, stretching, and
low-impact exercise. Your physician may
also suggest more targeted pain
management techniques like ultrasound
therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve
stimulation (TENS), analgesic pain
patches, and corticosteroid injections.
6. Spondylosis Surgery
If several months of conservative treatments do not help
to relieve your spondylosis symptoms, surgery may
become an option. Surgery will not “cure” or reverse the
condition, but it can help to address the symptoms
associated with nerve compression. If you are considering
surgery, be sure to get various opinions from different
spine specialists about your condition, the necessity of
surgery, and the type of procedure that would be best for
you. Both minimally invasive laser spine surgery and open
spine surgery are available for spondylosis, but not all
patients will be candidates for an outpatient procedure.
