Spondylosis: All you need to know - Medical News Today

Spondylosis is a type of arthritis spurred by wear and tear to the spine. It happens when discs and joints degenerate, when bone spurs grow on the vertebrae, or both. These changes can impair the spine's movement and affect the nerves and other functions.

Cervical spondylosis is the most common type of progressive disorder that affects the neck during aging.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 85 percent of people older than 60 have cervical spondylosis.

Other types of spondylosis develop in different parts of the spine:

    Thoracic spondylosis affects the middle of the spine.

    Lumbar spondylosis affects the lower back.

    Multilevel spondylosis affects more than one part of the spine.

The effects of spondylosis vary among individuals, but they do not usually cause serious problems.

When a person has symptoms, these are often pain and stiffness that tend to come and go.

Spinal osteoarthritis is another term for spondylosis. Osteoarthritis describes arthritis that results from wear and tear. It can affect any joint in the body.

Causes

Spondylosis happens when the discs and joints of the spine degenerate with age.

The spine helps give the body structure and supports most of its weight. It also carries and protects almost all of the main nerve branches that run from the brain.

The spine curved, not straight, and the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar parts of the spine contain 24 bones known as vertebrae.

Between these vertebrae are joints that allow the spine to move flexibly. These are called the facet joints.

Also, soft, rubbery tissue called intervertebral discs separate the vertebrae. These consist of cartilage endplates and a tough exterior, the annulus fibrosus, surrounding an inner core, the nucleus pulposus.

Intervertebral discs help achieve smooth movement, and they cushion against any impact on the bones.

As a person ages, the discs become drier, thinner, and harder, and they lose some of their cushioning ability. This is why an older person is more likely to have a compression fracture of the vertebra than a younger person.

A vertebral compression fracture results from bone collapsing in the spine. It commonly occurs with osteoporosis.

The facet joints between the vertebrae also function less well with age because of wear and tear on their cartilage surfaces.

As the cartilage erodes, the bones start to rub together, causing friction. This can result in the formation of bony growths, called bone spurs.

The loss of rubbery tissues and the development of spurs make the spine stiffer. Back movement also becomes less smooth, and friction increases.

Risk factors

Daily wear and tear over time is the general cause of spondylosis.

These changes affect people differently, depending on each individual's risk factors.

Risk factors include:

    having a genetic tendency

    having obesity or being overweight

    having a sedentary lifestyle with a lack of exercise

    having injured the spine or undergone spinal surgery

    smoking

    having a job that requires repetitive or weight-bearing movements that involve the spine

    having a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression

    having psoriatic arthritisTrusted Source\

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Symptoms

Symptoms can include weakness and tingling in the limbs.

Most people with age-related spondylosis do not experience any symptoms. Some people have symptoms for a while, but then they go away. Sometimes, a sudden movement can trigger symptoms.

Common symptoms are stiffness and mild pain that gets worse following certain movements or long periods without moving, while sitting for a long time, for example.

More severe symptoms include:

    a grinding or popping feeling when moving the spine

    weakness in the hands or legs

    poor coordination

    muscle spasms and pain

    headaches

    loss of balance and difficulty walking

    loss of bladder or bowel control

Complications

Some initial changes or symptoms help doctors determine what type of spondylosis a person has. In other people, these same issues can develop as complications, according to researchTrusted Source published in the BMJ in 2007.

Below, find examples of these kinds of changes:

Spinal stenosis: This is a narrowing of the canal that carries the spinal cord nerves. Symptoms include pain in the neck or back that may extend down the leg, problems with the feet, and numbness or weakness.

Cervical radiculopathy: Changes in a disc or the bone can cause nerves in the spine to become pinchedTrusted Source, leading to shooting pain, numbness, and hypersensitivity.

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: This involves the spinal cord becoming compressedTrusted Source, or squeezed. Symptoms include pain and numbness in the limbs, a loss of coordination in the hands, imbalance and difficulty walking, and in the later stages, bladder problems.

Scoliosis: ResearchTrusted Source suggests that there may be a link between degeneration of the facet joints and scoliosis in adults.

These changes can make other symptoms worse. The location of symptoms such as pain will depend on the part of the spine that spondylosis affects.

Treatment

Most cases of spondylosis produce only mild, occasional stiffness and pain, and they do not need treatment.

Home remedies

If a person experiences pain, they can try the followingTrusted Source:

    Over-the-counter pain relief medication: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may help.

    Keeping physically active: Low-impact exercise, such as swimming or walking, can help with maintaining flexibility and strengthening the muscles that support the spine.

    Improving posture: Slouching, for example, can make the pain worse.

    Physical therapy: A physical therapist may suggest specific exercises or massage.

    Back support: A person may need to choose a chair or mattress that supports their back better.

    Rest during periods of inflammation: When symptoms are troublesome, try resting for a while.

Alternative treatments

Receiving a massage from a trained provider may help relieve discomfort.

Some people use the following to manage symptoms:

    acupuncture

    chiropractic treatment

    massage

    ultrasound treatment

    electrical stimulation

Research indicates that some of theseTrusted Source may provide relief for nerve pain or damage that stems from the neck.

Medications

If pain is severe or persistent, a doctor may suggest:

    prescription pain relief medication

    muscle-relaxants, to reduce spasms

    drugs that ease nerve pain

    topical creams

    steroid medications, either in pills or as injections, when pain is severe

    an injection that combines steroid and anesthetic medication

A steroid injection aims to relieve pain by reducing inflammation. Using X-ray guidance, the doctor will inject the steroid into the roots of the affected nerves.

However, steroids can also have adverse effects, so a doctor will usually try to limit their use.

It is essential to follow the doctor's advice when using medications.

Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312598.php#treatment

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