Spondylosis

Spondylosis is a type of arthritis spurred by wear and tear to the spine.  It happens when joints and discs degenerate, when bone spurs grow on the vertebrae or both.  These changes can impair the spine’s movement and affect the nerves or other functions.  Some people can develop spondylosis at an earlier age depending on certain risk factors including history of trauma, history of smoking, occupations that require hard labor or genetic predisposition.

Types of spondylosis

• Cervical spondylosis is the most common type that affects the neck during aging.
• Thoracic spondylosis affects the middle of the spine.
• Lumbar spondylosis affects the lower back.
• Multilevel spondylosis affects more than one part of the spine.

As a person ages, the intervertebral disks, that help achieve smooth movement and cushion against any impact on the bones, become thinner, drier, and harder and loose cushion ability.  This is why an older person is more likely to have a compression fracture resulting from bone collapsing in the spine.  This commonly occurs with osteoporosis.  The joints between the vertebrae that allow the spine to move flexibly, also function less well with age due to wear and tear on the cartilage surfaces.

Cartilage that separate the vertebrae may also erode causing the bones to rub together and can result in formation of bony growths called bone spurs.

Risk factors

• Having injured the spine or undergone spinal surgery
• Having a sedentary lifestyle with lack of exercise
• Being obese or overweight
• Having a genetic tendency
• Smoking
• Having a job that requires repetitive or weight-bearing movements that involved the spine
• Having psoriatic arthritis
• Having a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety

Symptoms

• Muscle spasms and pain
• A grinding or popping when moving the spine
• Weakness in the hands or legs
• Poor coordination
• Headaches
• Difficulty walking and loss of balance
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

Treatment: (Home remedies)

• Over-the-counter pain relief medication, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.
• Improving posture
• Keep physically active with low impact exercise like walking or swimming
• Back support, choose a chair or mattress that supports the back better
• Rest during inflammation periods

Other medical treatments that help manage symptoms include chiropractic treatment, acupuncture, messages, ultrasound treatment or electrical stimulation.

If symptoms are severe and persistent and other treatments have not helped, a doctor may suggest surgery especially if damage is likely to get worse without the surgery.