Spondylosis
Spondylosis describes the general degeneration of the spine that can occur in joints, discs, and bones of the spine as we age. Technically, spondylosis is a form of arthritis—spinal osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis) to be exact. Many associate arthritis as something they get in their hands and knees, but the spine, and all of its bones and joints, can be subject to arthritis.
At Aptiva Health, we offer same-day and walk-in appointments for spine injuries and conditions to evaluate, diagnose, and make the appropriate referral for additional treatment based upon your specific spine injury or condition. We treat spine injuries and conditions in our Spine, Pain Management, General Medicine, Orthopedics, and Physical Therapy departments.
Cervical Spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis is a general term for age-related wear and tear affecting the spinal discs in your neck. As the discs dehydrate and shrink, signs of osteoarthritis develop, including bony projections along the edges of bones (bone spurs). Cervical spondylosis is very common and worsens with age. More than 85 percent of people older than age 60 are affected by cervical spondylosis.
symptoms
Cervical spondylosis can result in a narrowing of the space needed by the spinal cord and the nerve roots that pass through the spine to the rest of your body. If the spinal cord or nerve roots become pinched, a patient may experience:
Neck pain or stiffness. This may be the main symptom. Pain may get worse when you move your neck.
A nagging soreness in the neck.
Muscle spasms.
A clicking, popping or grinding sound when you move your neck.
Dizziness.
Headaches.
Tingling, numbness and weakness in your arms or hands
causes
As people age, the bones and cartilage in your spine develop wear and tear. These changes can include:
Dehydrated discs. Discs act like cushions between the vertebrae of your spine. By the age of 40, most people's spinal disks begin drying out and shrinking, which allows more bone-on-bone contact between the vertebrae.
Herniated discs. Age also affects the exterior of your spinal discs. Cracks often appear, leading to bulging (herniated) discs — which sometimes can press on the spinal cord and nerve roots.
Bone spurs. Disc degeneration often results in the spine producing extra amounts of bone in a misguided effort to strengthen the spine. These bone spurs can sometimes pinch the spinal cord and nerve roots.
Stiff ligaments. Ligaments are cords of tissue that connect bone to bone. Spinal ligaments can stiffen with age, making your neck less flexible.
diagnosis
Diagnosis of cervical spondylosis requires a thorough physical examination by a spine specialist at Aptiva Health. In addition to a comprehensive physical examination, your spine specialist will also utilize advanced imaging techniques such as x-ray, MRI, and EMG to effectively diagnose cervical spondylosis.
treatments
Treatment for cervical spondylosis depends on the causes and other underlying conditions. The Aptiva Health Spine team will create an individualized treatment plan to help relieve symptoms and slow down progression. These treatment options may involve non-surgical treatment, surgery or a combination of both.
Non-surgical treatments may include:
Bracing
Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Interventional techniques such as nerve blocks (spinal injections)
Activity modification
The Aptiva Health Spine Team will determine whether surgical treatment is necessary to remove any abnormalities and to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Our Spine Team at Aptiva Health is highly experienced in performing the latest surgical techniques for the treatment of cervical spondylosis.
Surgical treatment for cervical spondylosis includes:
Spinal decompression surgery
Foraminotomy
Thoracic Spondylosis
Thoracic spondylosis is caused by wear and tear of the vertebrae and the shock absorbing discs between each vertebrae bone. As we get older, the discs dry out and extra bone often gathers around the vertebrae (osteophytes) which can irritate some of the structures around the spine.
Thoracic spondylosis can result in a narrowing of the space needed by the spinal cord and the nerve roots that pass through the spine to the rest of your body. If the spinal cord or nerve roots become pinched, a patient may experience:
Mid-back pain or stiffness. This may be the main symptom. Pain may get worse when you move your neck or shoulders.
A nagging soreness in the mid-back.
Muscle spasms.
A clicking, popping or grinding sound when you move your neck or shoulders.
Tingling, numbness and weakness in your arms, hands, legs or feet
Lack of coordination and difficulty walking
Loss of bladder or bowel control
causes
As people age, the bones and cartilage in your spine develop wear and tear. These changes can include:
Dehydrated discs. Discs act like cushions between the vertebrae of your spine. By the age of 40, most people's spinal discs begin drying out and shrinking, which allows more bone-on-bone contact between the vertebrae.
Herniated discs. Age also affects the exterior of your spinal discs. Cracks often appear, leading to bulging (herniated) disks — which sometimes can press on the spinal cord and nerve roots.
Bone spurs. Disc degeneration often results in the spine producing extra amounts of bone in a misguided effort to strengthen the spine. These bone spurs can sometimes pinch the spinal cord and nerve roots.
Stiff ligaments. Ligaments are cords of tissue that connect bone to bone. Spinal ligaments can stiffen with age, making your neck less flexible.
diagnosis
Diagnosis of thoracic spondylosis requires a thorough physical examination by a spine specialist at Aptiva Health. In addition to a comprehensive physical examination, your spine specialist will also utilize advanced imaging techniques such as x-ray, MRI, and EMG to effectively diagnose lumbar spondylosis.
treatments
Treatment for thoracic spondylosis depends on the causes and other underlying conditions. The Aptiva Health Spine team will create an individualized treatment plan to help relieve symptoms and slow down progression. These treatment options may involve non-surgical treatment, surgery or a combination of both.
Non-surgical treatments may include:
Bracing
Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Interventional techniques such as nerve blocks (spinal injections)
Activity modification
The Aptiva Health Spine Team will determine whether surgical treatment is necessary to remove any abnormalities and to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Our Spine Team at Aptiva Health is highly experienced in performing the latest surgical techniques for the treatment of thoracic spondylosis.
Surgical treatment for thoracic spondylosis includes:
Spinal decompression surgery - in this procedure the cause of the spondylosis is removed, which could be a bone spur or herniated disc.
Discectomy - this procedure removes the injured disc
Laminectomy - this procedure removes bone spurs from the lamina (the arch in the back of a vertebra)
Laminoplasty - changes the position of the lamina to create more room for nerve tissue within your spine
Minimally invasive spinal fusion - this procedure fuses two or more vertebrae in your spine with transplanted bone, either with or without rods or screws to help connect the bones
Lumbar Spondylosis
Lumbar spondylosis is the term given to normal wear and tear of the lumbar (lower back) spinal discs. As we age, spinal discs lose moisture and shrink, bone spurs develop, and bones because weaker.
Lumbar spondylosis can result in a narrowing of the space needed by the spinal cord and the nerve roots that pass through the spine to the rest of your body. If the spinal cord or nerve roots become pinched, a patient may experience:
Low-back pain or stiffness. This may be the main symptom. Pain may get worse when you move your torso.
A nagging soreness in the low-back.
Muscle spasms.
A clicking, popping or grinding sound when you move your torso.
Tingling, numbness and weakness in your legs or feet
causes
As people age, the bones and cartilage in your spine develop wear and tear. These changes can include:
Dehydrated discs. Discs act like cushions between the vertebrae of your spine. By the age of 40, most people's spinal discs begin drying out and shrinking, which allows more bone-on-bone contact between the vertebrae.
Herniated discs. Age also affects the exterior of your spinal discs. Cracks often appear, leading to bulging (herniated) discs — which sometimes can press on the spinal cord and nerve roots.
Bone spurs. Disc degeneration often results in the spine producing extra amounts of bone in a misguided effort to strengthen the spine. These bone spurs can sometimes pinch the spinal cord and nerve roots.
Stiff ligaments. Ligaments are cords of tissue that connect bone to bone. Spinal ligaments can stiffen with age, making your neck less flexible.
diagnosis
Diagnosis of lumbar spondylosis requires a thorough physical examination by a spine specialist at Aptiva Health. In addition to a comprehensive physical examination, your spine specialist will also utilize advanced imaging techniques such as x-ray, MRI, and EMG to effectively diagnose lumbar spondylosis.
treatments
Treatment for lumbar spondylosis depends on the causes and other underlying conditions. The Aptiva Health Spine team will create an individualized treatment plan to help relieve symptoms and slow down progression. These treatment options may involve non-surgical treatment, surgery or a combination of both.
Non-surgical treatments may include:
Bracing
Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Interventional techniques such as nerve blocks (spinal injections)
Activity modification
The Aptiva Health Spine Team will determine whether surgical treatment is necessary to remove any abnormalities and to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Our Spine Team at Aptiva Health is highly experienced in performing the latest surgical techniques for the treatment of lumbar spondylosis.
Surgical treatment for lumbar spondylosis includes:
Spinal decompression surgery - in this procedure the cause of the spondylosis is removed, which could be a bone spur or herniated disc.
Discectomy - this procedure removes the injured disc
Laminectomy - this procedure removes bone spurs from the lamina (the arch in the back of a vertebra)
Laminoplasty - changes the position of the lamina to create more room for nerve tissue within your spine
Minimally invasive lumbar spinal fusion (MAS TLIF) - this procedure fuses two or more vertebrae in your spine with transplanted bone, either with or without rods or screws to help connect the bones