What is Spondylosis?

Spondylosis is a very common spinal condition with more than 3 million cases diagnosed each year. Since this condition often worsens with age, more than 85% of people over the age of 60 are affected. More than 85% of people over the age of 60 are affected by spondylosis. Click To Tweet

According to spine-health.com, “Spondylosis is not a medical diagnosis; it is a term that describes symptoms related to degenerative changes in the spine.” – osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease.

This condition can occur in any area of the spine, but is most common in the neck. Cervical spondylosis (sometimes referred to as neck arthritis) develops alongside the natural wear and tear of the bones and cartilage in your cervical spine. The most common causes of cervical spondylosis include the following.

Degenerative Disc Disease

In between each vertebra, there is a disc that provides cushioning between the bones. Think of that disc as a jelly donut – it is comprised of an extremely soft interior and slightly tougher exterior. They are primarily made of water and, with age, can begin to dry out. As the discs lose water, they begin to flatten and lose the ability to absorb shock, resulting in pain from your vertebrae rubbing on each other.

Herniated Discs

When a disc herniates, the soft inside discussed above pushes through a small tear in the exterior. When it does, it can put pressure on a nearby nerve, sometimes resulting in pain.

Bone Spurs

If damaged discs move out of place, they can place pressure on your spinal cord. Over time, the body will form bone spurs, or osteophytes, at the site of the disrupted discs. These spurs can cause additional pressure on your spinal cord and even neurological symptoms such as pain, numbness, and weakness radiating from your neck to one or both arms.

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