Spondylosis

Spondylosis

WHAT IS SPONDYLOSIS

Getting old is hard on the back. Spondylosis is all of these changes in the joints, bones, discs, and nerve roots that occur with aging. Spondylosis is part of life. It can be painful, but like life itself, it beats the alternative.

SYMPTOMS OF SPONDYLOSIS

Inflamed joints cause back pain that spreads to the buttocks and hip, with burning on the outside of the thigh and leg. The inflamed bone and pain fibers in the disc feel like a knife in the back when standing. When disc fragments or spurs press on nerve roots they cause an electrical, stabbing pain that shoots down the leg called Sciatica.

CAUSES OF SPONDYLOSIS

The facet joints become arthritic due to inflammation. As the discs suffer so many cycles of stress and strain they tear. Healing of the tears makes nerve fibers that signal pain grow into the disc. The bone reacts to the torn disc by swelling in the bone itself. The soft center of the disc herniates through the tears as well, pressing and aggravating nerve roots. Your body tears down as much of the Herniated Disc as it can, and turn the rest into bone spurs.