Lumbar spondylosis is an age-related degeneration of the vertebrae and disks of the lower back. These changes are often called degenerative disk disease and osteoarthritis. The common condition is marked by the breakdown of one or more of the disks that separate the bones of the spine.
Some orthopedists prefer to use the word spondylosis over the term degenerative disc disease because the condition is not truly a disease, but a mechanical issue—the gradual breakdown of the discs between the vertebrae due to the ordinary wear and tear of aging.
As people age, their bones, discs, cartilage, and ligaments change. Bone spurs (abnormal overgrowth of bones) may develop, discs may dry and crack, cartilage may wear out, and ligaments may thicken. These age-related degenerative changes are all forms of spondylosis.
Spondylosis is age-related change of the bones (vertebrae) and discs of the spine. These changes are often called degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis. When this condition is in the lower back, it's called lumbar spondylosis. These changes don't always cause symptoms.
Spondylolysis is a very common cause of lower back pain in kids, teens, and young adults. It usually heals with rest and physical therapy.
The symptoms of spondylosis often develop slowly over time, but they may also start or get worse suddenly. Symptoms include: Pain that may be mild, or it can be deep and so severe that you are unable to move. Pain over the shoulder blade.
Cervical spondylosis is very common and worsens with age. More than 85% of people older than age 60 are affected by cervical spondylosis.
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), also known as Spondylosis, is a condition that usually occurs due to aging. As the term implies, it is the progressive deterioration of the discs between the vertebral bodies.
There should be restriction of heavy lifting; excessive bending, twisting, or stooping; and avoidance of any work or recreational activities that cause stress to the lumbar spine. Your physician will outline a rehabilitation program to return you to your activities as soon as possible.
Spondylosis is a term that references general degenerative changes in the spine, commonly caused by age, osteoarthritis, and/or degenerative disc disease; spondylolysis is a more specific diagnosis of a spinal injury, commonly involving a crack or fracture of the pars articularis caused by overuse.
Lack of Exercise Worsens Stiffness
“A sedentary lifestyle will worsen the stiffness and decreased mobility and flexibility that accompany ankylosing spondylitis,” says Waseem Mir, MD, the founder of New York Integrative Rheumatology and a rheumatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
Over time, the degenerative changes of spondylosis can cause spinal stenosis, where the spinal canal becomes narrow, and the spinal cord can become pinched.
Life expectancy for people with ankylosing spondylitis is the same as that of the general population, except for patients with severe symptoms and complications. Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disease.
Most of the time, cervical spondylosis isn't serious. But in some cases, cervical spondylosis can lead to the narrowing of the spinal canal, which is where the spinal cord and nerves pass through.
Lumbar and Cervical Spondylosis: Symptoms and Treatments. Spondylosis is a nearly universal condition in those who reach advanced age, but it can also affect younger people. While some people experience no symptoms, others may feel stiffness and/or pain in the neck, shoulders or between the shoulder blades.
Cervical spondylosis, commonly called arthritis of the neck, is the medical term for these age-related, wear-and-tear changes that occur over time. Cervical spondylosis is extremely common. More than 85% of people over the age of 60 are affected.
Your doctor or rheumatologist may recommend a couple of things to slow or manage your ankylosing spondylitis (or risk of it). These include: An overall healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity and stretching. Physical therapy.
Since spondylosis is a degenerative disease, it will get worse over time. When these symptoms get worse it may become impossible to work. In such situations, a person with spondylosis must consider filing for long-term disability (LTD) benefits.
But it can show up in other joints too—mainly the neck, arms, or legs. Because ankylosing spondylitis is a system-wide autoimmune disorder, it can also affect organs like the lungs, heart, or eyes. This seeming lack of connection between symptoms is one of the primary reasons it can be so difficult to diagnose.
Patients typically report their first symptoms between the ages of 20 and 50 years, and more than 80% of individuals older than 40 years have radiologic (X-ray) evidence of the condition. Lumbar spondylosis is especially common in people older than 40 years.
While there's no cure, lifestyle changes can help with treatment. Research shows that lifestyle behaviors, such as exercising, maintaining good posture, strengthening muscles, eating healthy, practicing good sleep hygiene, managing stress, and quitting smoking if you smoke, can help slow disease progression.
Both ankylosing spondylitis and osteoarthritis can cause significant pain and get worse without appropriate treatment. However, OA affects fewer joints and is generally limited to the joints. The progression of AS can be harder to predict, and the condition can cause more widespread symptoms.