Spondylosis(cervical and lumber )
What is Spondylosis?
Spondylosis describes the general degeneration of the spine that can occur in joints, discs, and bones of the spine as we age.
“Arthritis” is an umbrella term for more than 100 conditions that cause painful joints, and in the case of spondylosis, the spine is full of joints that can be affected. Osteoarthritis—which is what spondylosis is—is the most common type.
Bones in a joint need to glide smoothly together. Articular cartilage, which is cartilage that wraps the ends of bones in a joint, allows that smooth gliding and helps prevent painful and damaging bone-on-bone contact. Osteoarthritis is the gradual breakdown of this cartilage. It’s also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, because it just sort of happens naturally over a lifetime of joint movement.
Your spine is a column made of 33 bones called vertebrae.Cushion-like pads called discs are tucked between most vertebrae, which protects the spine and makes it flexible. And within this column of vertebrae lies the spinal cord. Vertebrae are connected by facet joints, which are the victims in spondylosis.
Spondylosis is common, but it is usually not serious. Many who have it experience no pain, though it can be painful for some. Most patients with spinal osteoarthritis will not need surgery. However, it is a degenerative condition that may worsen as a person grows older, and can affect any region of the spine, including:
• Cervical — neck
• Thoracic — upper, mid-back
• Lumbar — low back
• Lumbosacral — low back/sacrum
How Does Spondylosis Affect Discs and Cause Bone Spurs to Form?
To better understand the implications of spondylosis, it helps to learn about the challenges that can arise. Intervertebral discs serve as the cushion between the bone and function as a major shock absorber by retaining water. As we age, the discs begin to dry out and, as a result, can lose their shock-absorbing capability, transmitting more load to the vertebrae, sometimes resulting in bone spur formation (that’s degenerative disc disease, or DDD). Our bodies respond to stress by forming bone in an attempt to stabilize the segment.
