Diagnosing Spondylosis
Spondylosis is a medical term used to describe any disease of the spine that is degenerative. Due to the broad nature of spondylosis, there are several possible causes for this spine condition. This may range from the natural aging process to a variety of spine conditions described in the following article.
If you suspect you have spondylosis, schedule an appointment with your doctor. They can order an MRI test or CT scan to determine the cause and severity of your condition. Since there are so many possible causes of spondylosis, it is important that your doctor has a recent and accurate scan of your spine to properly diagnose your condition and recommend treatment.
Spondylosis Causes
Spondylosis describes the gradual wear of the spine over time. The most common occurrence of spondylosis is found in the lumbar (lower back) portion of the spine. The lumbar spine is responsible for supporting and stabilizing most of the body’s weight.
As the body increases in weight and has years of bending and twisting, the components of the lumbar spine, such as the vertebrae, discs, and joints, slowly start to deteriorate. When the components of the spine begin to degenerate, other spine conditions may occur. Common conditions associated with spondylosis include:
- Herniated disc
- Spinal stenosis
- Bulging disc
- Bone spurs
- Spondylolisthesis
- Degenerative disc disease
In some cases, spondylosis is a result of another spine condition, such as arthritis of the spine, causing the vertebrae or joints of the spine to deteriorate. Your doctor can accurately determine the cause of your spondylosis by reviewing your imaging tests.
Spondylosis Symptoms
Most mild cases of spondylosis are not symptomatic. Most people above the age of 70 have spondylosis without any knowledge of it. Since the most common cause of spondylosis is the natural aging process, most people never experience a symptom besides minor and infrequent aches and pains occasionally. However, more progressive cases of this condition may result in back stiffness and pain. Some patients may experience pain when bending or twisting as well as radiating pain down the buttock and leg. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, reach out to your doctor to discuss the conservative and surgical treatment options available to you.
Spine Solutions with BEST Health System
If conservative treatments such as pain medication, physical therapy, and chiropractic care do not provide relief, you may be a candidate for surgery. Our minimally invasive spine surgery offers a safer and more effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery.
Our highly skilled surgeons perform a variety of minimally invasive decompression procedures to relieve the pressure placed on the patient’s spinal cord or nerve root due to a spine condition. Contact our team today to learn more about our minimally invasive surgical procedures.
