Spondylosis symptoms, causes, diagnosis and more

As we get older, just about every part of our body will experience natural changes. And for many adults, neck and back problems are some of the not-so-fun parts of the aging process.

Spondylosis (or degenerative disc disease) is one of the most common spinal conditions adults experience. In fact, it’s estimated that around 85% of adults over the age of 60 show signs of spondylosis.

But what is spondylosis exactly? What are the signs and symptoms of spondylosis? Is it treatable? And when should you see a doctor for any neck and back pain you might be experiencing? We answer all these questions and more.

What is spondylosis (degenerative disc disease)?

Spondylosis is a form of arthritis. In addition to degenerative disc disease, it can also be called spinal osteoarthritis. Spondylosis affects the discs in your spine, which can sometimes lead to neck pain, back pain or loss of normal spinal function.

What causes spondylosis?

Spondylosis is caused by the natural aging process, which you have probably heard of as “normal wear and tear”.

Spinal discs act as cushions between each of your neck and back’s vertebra –these discs are often described as rubber- or jelly-like. But as we age, these discs begin to dry out and thin. And that thinning places stress on every muscle, joint and ligament that holds your spine in place, which can lead to pain and decreased range of motion.

Over time, these spondylotic changes can sometimes lead to compression on one or more of the spinal nerve roots, bone spur growth or herniated discs, which may cause other symptoms.

In addition, there are certain risk factors that may speed up the aging process or make you more likely to get spondylosis, including:

• Being overweight
• A family history of spine conditions
• Smoking
• A sedentary lifestyle
• A job that requires repetitive movement that puts stress on your spine

Spondylosis symptoms

There are three different types of spondylosis. Each type is related to a specific area of your spine where the changes have occurred. These include the cervical (C), thoracic (T) and lumbar (L) regions.

Your spinal column is made up of 33 bones called vertebrae that, in part, consist of seven cervical (neck), 12 thoracic (mid back), and five lumbar (lower back) vertebrae. Between each vertebra is a disc.

The spinal column also has joints called facet joints. Their job is to connect the vertebrae and give them the flexibility to move against each other.

Spondylosis symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people may not even notice any neck or back pain or problems. While spondylosis can affect the joints anywhere along the spine, it occurs more commonly in the neck and low back.

Cervical spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis affects your neck, which is also called the cervical spine and represents vertebrae C1 to C7. These vertebrae connect your skull to your body and are responsible for motions like turning your head left and right, or nodding your head up and down.

Cervical spondylosis symptoms

Your neck has a big job to do. It supports the weight of your head and a wide range of movements. While many people don’t experience any symptoms of cervical spondylosis, those that do may feel:

• Neck pain, which can feel like a constant ache, get worse when you move or both (pain may also spread to your arms or shoulders)
• Neck stiffness that can get worse over time
• Muscle pain or spasms
• Headaches, especially in the back of your head
• A grinding, clicking or popping feeling when you move your neck

In some cases, cervical spondylosis can lead to the narrowing of the spinal canal, which is where the spinal cord and nerves pass through. If the cord or nerves become compressed (or pinched), you may experience the following symptoms and should see a doctor as soon as possible:

• Numbness, tingling or shooting pain in your shoulders, arms or hands, or what can feel like an electrical sensation when you flex your neck forward
• Difficulty walking or lack of coordination
• Loss of bladder and bowel control (rare)

Thoracic spondylosis

Your thoracic spine, T1 through T12, picks up where your cervical spine leaves off. It continues to protect your spinal cord, and also connects to and supports your rib cage.

Thoracic spondylosis symptoms

As the “trunk” or middle part of your back, these 12 vertebrae are stable and sturdy. As a result, thoracic spondylosis is the least common type of degenerative disc disease and most people do not experience any symptoms. But if symptoms are present, they are often the same as lumbar spondylosis symptoms, which we talk about in the next section.

Lumbar spondylosis

Lumbar spondylosis impacts your lower spine, L1 through L5. More specifically, the lumbar region is the section of the vertebrae between the thoracic spine and the sacrum. It’s the part of the spinal column that bears the most weight, so it’s no surprise that the aging process can lead to lumbar spondylosis.

Lumbar spondylosis symptoms

Your low back supports and distributes most of your body’s weight, making lumbar spondylosis perhaps the most common spinal osteoarthritis condition.

In fact, more than 80% of those in the U.S. over the age of 40 may have lumbar spondylosis. However, like other types of spondylosis, many people may not have any symptoms or feel pain. For those that do experience symptoms, they can include:

• Low back pain, which can feel like constant soreness, flare up when you move, or both (back pain may also be worse in the morning and get better throughout the day)
• Back stiffness
• Weakness in the legs or feet
• Muscle pain or spasms
• Grinding, clicking or popping sensation when you sit, stand or move in a certain way
• Bladder retention (inability to urinate)

Like with cervical spondylosis, changes in spinal discs in the lumbar region can also lead to nerve or cord compression. Disc herniation, which is when a disc slips or bulges through a weakened part of the spine, can also occur. Herniated discs are most common in the lower back and are also more common as we get older. See a doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Numbness, tingling or pain that radiates from your back to your buttocks, legs, feet or toes (sciatica)
• Changes in how you walk (gait) or difficulty walking
• Loss of bladder or bowel control (rare)

Spondylosis vs. spondylolysis: What’s the difference?

These two terms may look and sound almost identical, but there are key features that make the conditions different. While they can both cause back pain, spondylosis refers to the normal changes that can occur as we age. Spondylolysis is actually a stress fracture that occurs in a portion of the spine called the “pars”, and commonly caused by overuse.

How is spondylosis diagnosed?

If you’re experiencing any spondylosis symptoms, you may be able to skip a trip to your primary care doctor and go straight to making an appointment with a physical therapist. You just might want to check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage.

During your first visit, your physical therapist will likely start with a physical exam that may include:

• Asking you questions about the location and severity of any pain, stiffness or other symptoms you’re experiencing
• Evaluating your range of motion by having you move, bend or twist in different ways
• Testing for muscle weakness in your arms and legs
• Feeling along your spine to help detect any tenderness, or possible muscle spasms, bumps or areas of inflammation

In some cases, imaging tests like X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be recommended to take a closer look at your spine.

Is spondylosis treatable?

Yes. For most people, spondylosis symptoms can be managed with at-home treatments such as over-the-counter pain relievers, hot and cold therapy, and some lifestyle modifications.

Depending on your condition, a spine specialist may also recommend pain psychology, acupuncture or injections for longer-term, yet still temporary, pain relief. And if spondylosis has led to nerve or spinal cord compression, surgery may be helpful to relieve the pressure.

But stretching and activity may be the most important step for managing pain or other spondylosis symptoms. That’s because movement is important for keeping all of your body’s muscles, ligaments and joints in working order. And working with a spine physical therapist can help.

Spine physical therapists can teach you targeted stretches and exercises to strengthen your neck and back to reduce spondylosis-related pain and stiffness. Depending on several factors, including how long you’ve been experiencing neck or back pain, a more intensive physical therapy program like TRIA Neck and Back Strengthening Program may be recommended. A spine strengthening program is specifically designed for people with chronic back pain.

Learn more about spondylosis treatments and exercises.

Take the first step toward neck and back pain relief

While you can’t stop your body from aging, there are steps you can take to manage the neck and back pain that can come with it.

If you’ve recently started noticing regular neck or back pain and stiffness, and it doesn’t seem to be subsiding, a great first step can be making an appointment with a spine physical therapist. At TRIA, our physical therapy programs don’t require a doctor’s referral, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company to understand your coverage.