Spondylosis - Causes - Better Medicine

What causes spondylosis?

The most frequent cause of spondylosis is a natural degeneration of the cartilage and bones of the spine as a result of excessive wear and tear, which is nearly always a natural result of aging. Extreme athletics can exacerbate this degeneration, but in nearly all cases wear and tear over the years is the cause. Over time, the discs become dehydrated and lose the ability to act as cushions between spinal bones. The painful grating of bone against bone often causes the bones to develop growths called bone spurs to replace the missing cartilage. These bone spurs can press on the spinal cord, causing painful or debilitating nerve compression.

Common causes of spondylosis

Common causes of spondylosis include:

Degenerative disc disease
Severe arthritis
Spinal stenosis
Wear and tear with aging

What are the risk factors for spondylosis?

Because wear and tear on the spine due to aging is the major risk factor for spondylosis, most people over the age of 60 will suffer from some disc degeneration or damage. Risk factors for spondylosis include:

Advancing age
Past injury to the spine or neck

INTRODUCTION

What is spondylosis?

Spondylosis is a wearing down or degeneration of the spine caused by wear and tear on the joints. Deterioration most frequently involves the cartilage and bones in either the cervical spine (joints of the neck), sometimes referred to as cervical spondylosis, or the lumbar spine, sometimes referred to as lumbar degenerative disc disease. Spondylosis can also affect the middle section of the... Read more about spondylosis introduction

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of spondylosis?

Symptoms of spondylosis include spinal pain and stiffness in the back or neck that gets worse over time, occasional headaches, and, in some cases, pain in your shoulders and arms. This pain can sometimes be quite severe.... Read more about spondylosis symptoms

TREATMENTS

How is spondylosis treated?

Spondylosis is not curable, but in many cases the symptoms may decrease or stabilize on their own. Treatment is aimed at relieving pain to help you participate in as many of your normal activities as possible, and occasionally surgical treatment may be required to prevent permanent nerve or spinal cord damage.... Read more about spondylosis treatments