The term mild spondylosis is used to describe the early stages of spinal degeneration that could be the cause of your neck or back pain. Spondylosis is a broad term describing the presence of degenerative conditions that affect the parts of the spine. These changes occur naturally as a person ages and may require treatment if they result in nerve compression or other issues that lead to discomfort. Most cases of spondylosis are initially mild and can be managed with conservative treatment, but if degeneration is severe, surgery may be needed.

The aging process

Over the years, the regular wear and tear on the spine takes a toll and the spinal anatomy naturally begins to deteriorate. This wear and tear is part of the normal aging process and accounts for aches, pains and loss of flexibility in the spine. While keeping in good physical shape can help, age-related degeneration is largely unavoidable.

If you have been told mild spondylosis is causing your pain, this shouldn’t be considered a comprehensive diagnosis because it doesn’t specify the exact source of symptoms. Some examples of specific degenerative spine conditions include:

• Osteophytes — the development of bone spurs in the spinal column
• Spinal stenosis — the gradual narrowing of nerve pathways in the spinal column
• Degenerative disc disease — the weakening, tearing or bulging of the discs between the vertebrae that normally cushion the spine
• Facet disease — a type of osteoarthritis caused by cartilage deterioration, pain and stiffness in the facet joints that connect adjacent vertebrae

Treatment for mild spondylosis

Treatment of mild spondylosis depends on the specific source of neck or back pain. Mild spondylosis can often be treated with conservative options like rest, physical therapy or pain medication. Consult with your physician to develop a personalized treatment plan. If your spondylosis conditions worsen, however, surgery may become an option.

If you experience severe spondylosis and are considering spine surgery, contact USA Spine Care. As the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, our minimally invasive decompression and stabilization procedures provide many advantages versus open neck or back surgery. These benefits include an outpatient procedure, a less than 1-inch incision and less risk of complication^ compared to traditional open spine surgery.

Reach out to us today for a no-cost MRI review* to learn if you are a potential candidate for surgery with USA Spine Care.

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