Spondylosis is a common age-related condition that causes neck and back pain. Also called osteoarthritis of the neck or back, spondylosis will affect 85% of people over age 65, although not everyone will experience symptoms.
Spondylosis is most common in the neck, or cervical spine, but it can also develop in your lower back, or lumbar spine. The condition develops as age-related changes in your spine lead to narrowing of the spinal canal. In many people, this will cause pain and stiffness.
Accessing the variety of specialists needed for spine care can be complicated. UK HealthCare Comprehensive Spine Center makes it simple by bringing together a team of all the specialists you may need. Within one program, you have access to all our specialties:
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Interventional pain medicine
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Physical/occupational therapy
The symptoms of spondylosis vary depending on how severe your arthritis is. They can also differed based on whether the condition is affecting your neck or another part of your spine. Cervical spondylosis typically causes symptoms such as:
- Headaches
- Limited range of motion or pain when turning your head
- Muscle spasms
- Neck pain
- Numbness or tingling in your arms, hands or shoulder
- Pain that radiates from your neck into your shoulder or head
- Popping or grinding noise when turning your head
- Weakness in one or both arms or hands
Pain from cervical spondylosis often gets worse if you hold your head down, as you would while reading, or straight ahead, as you would while staring at a computer screen at work. Your neck pain may lessen or go away when you lie down.
You can have lumbar spondylosis and lower back pain that is caused by another condition. However, if your spondylosis is symptomatic, you may experience:
- Burning or aching in your lower back, buttocks or thighs
- Lower back pain
- Numbness or tingling in your buttocks or legs
- Stiffness
- Weakness in one or both legs or feet
- Popping or grinding noise in the lower back when bending and twisting
In rare cases, spondylosis can be associated with loss of bladder and bowel control.
Spondylosis is caused by the normal wear and tear on your spine that happens as you age. As you get older, the flexible disks between your vertebrae — the bones that make up your spine — begin to deteriorate. This is called degenerative disk disease. When the disks bulge out from the spinal column, or become herniated disks, your vertebrae may rub against each other, creating bone spurs. These bony protrusions can press against your spinal canal, compressing your spinal cord and nerve roots. This pressure causes pain, numbness and other symptoms.
Everyone is at risk of spondylosis as they get older. However, some people are more likely to develop symptoms, including those who have:
- Family history of spondylosis
- History of smoking
- Injury to your spine when younger
- Occupation with repetitive spinal motion or strain
Playing sports that involve a lot of bending, twisting or turning of your back — like rugby or soccer — may also raise your risk.
Your journey to better spine health begins at home. Before you visit UK HealthCare for spine pain, we review your medical records. We may contact you with follow-up questions. We then discuss your case as a team. Based on these conversations, we determine which specialists will best meet your needs.
Next, we schedule your appointment. To provide you with the best care possible, you may need to meet with multiple providers. This helps us meet all your care needs in a timely manner.
During your first visit, we answer questions and provide information to help you better understand your condition. We also work to find out what is causing your symptoms and develop a treatment plan.
In most cases, we start with non-surgical treatment, such as lifestyle changes and physical therapy. Spine issues that don’t improve with this approach may require other treatment, including pain management and surgical intervention.
When coming to your first appointment, plan to do the following:
- Arrive early. You may need to fill out paperwork when you arrive. Getting to your appointment early gives you time to complete paperwork without feeling rushed.
- Bring a current list of medicines or supplements you take. You should also list any surgeries you’ve had, symptoms you’ve experienced and other past health issues.
- Dress comfortably. Working toward a diagnosis takes time. Comfortable clothes help you stay relaxed and attentive throughout your visit. They also make it easier to perform your physical exam.
- Eat and drink as directed. You may need to have imaging or other tests during your first visit. If you need to adjust your eating, drinking or medicines before a test, a team member will call to explain what you need to do leading up to your visit.
- Have your insurance information on hand. UK HealthCare accepts most insurers, and financial assistance is available.
- Bring a family member or friend with you. This person can help take notes and ask questions you may not think of asking.