If you’re looking for some basic information about spondylosis, you’re in the right place. Below, you’ll find some of the most frequently asked questions concerning spondylosis answered by the medical professionals at USA Spine Care.

Q. What is spondylosis?
A. Spondylosis is an umbrella term for any disease in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine that is degenerative in nature. It encompasses a variety of spine conditions, such as spinal stenosis, disc degeneration and spinal osteoarthritis.

Q. What causes spondylosis?
A. The true cause of spondylosis is the damage done to the spine over years of use. Some conditions like osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis can contribute to the deterioration of spinal elements. There are also risk factors that increase the likelihood that a patient will develop spondylosis, such as traumatic injuries, the presence of tumors, genetic predisposition, repetitive physical stress and obesity. Typically, the most directly correlated risk factor is age.

Q. What are the symptoms of spondylosis?
A. Spondylosis symptoms depend on the specific condition present, but they generally fall into two categories — localized and radiating symptoms. Localized symptoms occur at the site of the issue and they may include dull aching, limited movement or a feeling of instability. Radiating symptoms affect remote areas of the body when nerves in the spine are compressed by other issues like bulging discs and bone spurs. Symptoms like pain, numbness, weakness and tingling sensations can affect the shoulders and arms in cervical spine degeneration, and they can impact the buttocks, thighs, legs and feet in lumbar spine degeneration.

Q. What are some spondylosis treatment options?
A. Treatment options vary depending on the cause and location of the spondylosis. Physicians generally recommend that patients follow a regimen of conservative treatments, including attending physical therapy sessions, taking over-the-counter or prescription pain medications and applying hot and cold compresses to the affected areas.

Q. Will I need spondylosis surgery?
A. Patients who experience inadequate relief after several weeks or months of conservative therapy may be recommended for surgery. When it comes to surgery, remember that there are many options available to you. There are traditional open spine procedures from other providers, and then there are minimally invasive options offered at USA Spine Care, which are a safer and effective alternative to traditional procedures.^ To learn more about our minimally invasive spondylosis procedures, contact USA Spine Care today.

USA Spine Care is the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery and has helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck or back pain. Our surgeons use a less than 1-inch incision and muscle-sparing techniques in order to alleviate spondylosis symptoms and provide patients with lasting relief. To find out if you are a potential candidate for our minimally invasive spine surgery, reach out to our dedicated team today and ask for a no-cost MRI review.* We are here to help guide you through your journey to wellness.

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