What Is Spondylosis?
Spondylosis is the name given to the aging process that occurs naturally on the spine’s discs and joints and is technically called spondylotic changes. Spondylosis meaning tends to cause confusion as its similarity to the following diseases makes people think it is related to them in one way or another, but this is not the case. What is spondylosis, in simple terms? Spondylosis is basically arthritis of the spine where the discs become dehydrated and flexible as the years go by. Small spurs may even form on the vertebrae due to the wearing away. Spinal spondylosis may affect any part of the spine but it is very common at the cervical and lumbar parts of the spine. Recognizing this condition as being degenerative and not a disease itself is the key to successful spondylosis treatment.
Spondylosis Symptoms
The spondylosis symptoms depend upon the location of the spine affected by the condition and the level of changes. Symptoms are not experienced by many patients who show spondylotic changes on imaging studies, while some patients suffer from stiffness, dull pain, or limited movement of the neck and lower back region. With narrowing of the nerve space due to spondylosis, symptoms tend to spread to give rise to tingling sensations, numbness, and weakness felt in the arms and legs. Pain increases during specific activities and after extended sitting, and symptoms gradually build up.
Types of Spondylosis
Cervical Spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis occurs in the neck area of the spine, which is the most common type because of the frequent movements in the neck area. Cervical spondylosis treatment is concerned with alleviating stiffness and keeping the nerves uninvolved, for in severe cases, the neck pain spreads to the shoulder and arm areas.
Lumbar Spondylosis
Lumbar spondylosis is associated with the lower region of the back where there is a high amount of weight and stress on the spine. The lumbar spondylosis treatment focuses on treating both the problem itself and the symptoms, considering that back pain caused by this ailment might also be experienced in the leg regions.
Spondylosis vs Spondylitis
The difference between spondylosis and spondylitis is among the most common sources of misunderstanding for patients who are doing research regarding spine conditions, and there is confusion in using the two words interchangeably. Spondylosis is a disease that is caused by degeneration, due to aging of the intervertebral disc and joints without any infective or immunological involvement. What is spondylitis, however, spondylitis is a medical disorder characterized by the inflammation of the vertebrae. Spondylitis meaning refers to inflammation of the vertebrae, and spondylitis causes include autoimmune disease such as ankylosing spondylitis or spinal infections in some cases. On the other hand, however, the spondylitis symptoms generally have a much higher presence of inflammatory symptoms, including stiffness in the mornings that can be improved with movement. Since there is a large difference in terms of what spondylosis and spondylitis treatments target, the importance of having the right diagnosis cannot be underestimated.
What Causes Spondylosis?
Spondylosis arises mainly because of the aging process of the body, whereby spinal discs become dehydrated and less elastic over time, thus losing their cushioning function for the vertebrae. Repetitive motions, mechanical pressure, and normal wear over time cause this. Some other risk factors for spondylosis include past spinal injury, hereditary vulnerability, occupation that entails repetitive strain and heavy lifting, improper posture maintained over long periods, and obesity, which causes increased spinal load.
How Spondylosis Is Diagnosed
The examination will be based on the physical examination, which will involve examining the range of motion, reflexes, muscle strength, and tenderness. Some questions will be raised regarding the appearance of the symptoms, duration of occurrence, and presence of radiating pain. Based on the answer to those questions, your doctor may decide to use an x-ray, MRI scan, or CT scan to determine the extent of injury to the discs and joints as well as involvement of nerves or spinal cord.
Spondylosis Treatment Options
Non-Surgical Treatment
Most cases of spondylosis can be successfully managed through conservative measures, which involve the use of drugs to relieve pain and reduce inflammation, physiotherapy in order to strengthen the muscles responsible for supporting the back and improve movement, and change in posture.
Surgical Treatment
However, surgery for spondylosis is extremely uncommon and is usually resorted to when there is nerve or spinal cord compression resulting in weakness that does not improve with conservative treatment.
When to See a Spine Doctor
You will need to consult a spine specialist when spondylosis causes you discomfort lasting more than a few weeks, when your symptoms become worse with the passage of time, and when you develop numbness, tingling, and weakness of the arms or legs. Severe symptoms that have sudden onset, particularly those that affect your balance, bladder, and bowels, require immediate medical help.
For anyone seeking a spine specialist in Mumbai, Dr. Zahir Abbas Merchant at The Spine eXpert is a highly qualified specialist with 15+ years of experience in the field of orthopaedic medicine. Dr. Zahir follows a methodical and sequential procedure in diagnosing and managing spondylosis depending on the condition of each patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is spondylosis the same as spondylitis?
No. Spondylosis is damage of the spinal column that comes with age, whereas spondylitis is an inflammation of the vertebrae caused by autoimmunity or infection.
Can spondylosis be cured permanently?
While the process of spondylosis itself is irreversible due to it being degenerative, its symptoms can be managed well with proper treatment and posture corrections.
Is spondylosis serious?
Most of them are relatively mild and well-manageable, but there could be more complications when the degeneration of the tissue causes compression to the nerve or spinal cord itself.
Which doctor should I consult for spondylosis?
For recurrent spondylosis cases in Mumbai, you need to see a doctor specializing in orthopedic problems or spinal surgeries; for example, you can visit Dr. Zahir Abbas Merchant at The Spine eXpert Clinic, who has more than 15 years of expertise in Orthopedics.