From the Research
Spondylosis is a general term for age-related degeneration of the spine that occurs over time, involving wear and tear of the spinal discs, joints, and bones, leading to changes like disc thinning, bone spur formation, and stiffening of ligaments. This condition can affect any part of the spine but commonly develops in the neck (cervical spondylosis) and lower back (lumbar spondylosis) 1. Symptoms may include pain, stiffness, reduced flexibility, and sometimes nerve compression causing numbness, tingling, or weakness in the limbs.
Causes and Development
Spondylosis develops naturally with aging as spinal discs lose water content and elasticity, becoming less effective as shock absorbers, while joints experience increased stress leading to cartilage breakdown and bone spur formation 2.
Treatment and Management
Treatment typically involves pain management with medications like NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen), physical therapy to improve strength and flexibility, and lifestyle modifications such as maintaining good posture and weight management 3. In severe cases, steroid injections or surgery might be necessary. Physical therapy is particularly effective in treating patients with cervical spondylosis, improving the quality of life by strengthening weak structures, lessening pain, increasing joint range of motion, and enhancing movement patterns 1.
Prevention
While spondylosis cannot be completely prevented, regular exercise, maintaining proper posture, and avoiding smoking can help slow its progression. It's also important to note that early diagnosis and management of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can prevent or delay the onset of spondylosis 4.
Key Considerations
- Spondylosis can be organized into different clinical syndromes, including cervical radiculopathy, cervical myelopathy, and axial joint pain 3.
- The management of patients with spondylosis includes pharmaceutical, physical therapy, and psychological therapies, as well as patient education, rest, and a program of physical exercise and physiotherapy 4.
- In cases of severe or refractory spondylosis, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like sulfasalazine may be effective in improving clinical and laboratory indices of disease activity 4.