What Is Spondylosis?
Spondylosis is often applied nonspecifically to any degenerative condition impacting the spine’s structures, including the intervertebral disks, vertebrae and joints. However, it’s also another name for degenerative arthritic changes to the spine — spinal osteoarthritis.
As you age, a variety of degenerative changes can occur to the spine’s delicate structures. The gel-filled discs that cushion the vertebrae begin to lose fluid and collapse in height. The ligaments can become thickened and stiff. The facet joints that connect the vertebrae also can fall victim to spondylosis as the cartilage that protects against painful and damaging bone-on-bone contact breaks down.
Spondylosis is common, and some patients who have it experience no pain. However, spondylosis can lead to the creation of painful bone spurs. To preserve the spine’s stability and protect against stress, your body sometimes creates spinal bone spurs, called osteophytes. These bony growths can put pressure on the surrounding spine structures, including nerves and the spinal cord, leading to painful symptoms.
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