Out-of-state? Free MRI review + telehealth consult before you travel4.9 ★ · 619 Google reviewsBoard-certified — American Board of Orthopaedic SurgeryMinimally invasive, same-day spine surgery in Beverly HillsCall (424) 217-7463
Out-of-state? Free MRI review + telehealth consult before you travel4.9 ★ · 619 Google reviewsBoard-certified — American Board of Orthopaedic SurgeryMinimally invasive, same-day spine surgery in Beverly HillsCall (424) 217-7463
Spondylosis is the medical name for spinal wear and tear — the everyday arthritis of the spine that most people develop as they age, and that only sometimes needs treatment.
Spondylosis is a broad term for the age-related degeneration of the spine: the discs lose height and water content, the joints between the vertebrae develop arthritis, and bone spurs form along the edges of the bones. It can happen in the neck (cervical spondylosis), the mid-back (thoracic), or the lower back (lumbar spondylosis).
Most spondylosis is a normal part of aging and causes no symptoms at all. It becomes a problem when the degenerative changes crowd a nerve root or the spinal cord, or when arthritic joints and stiffness start to limit daily life. For patients in Beverly Hills, in the greater Los Angeles area, the goal is to treat the symptoms that actually bother you — not the incidental findings on an MRI.
✓Stiffness and aching in the neck or lower back, often worse in the morning
✓Pain that flares with activity and eases with rest
✓Reduced flexibility and range of motion
✓Nerve symptoms — numbness, tingling, or weakness — if a spur or disc pinches a nerve
✓Grinding or popping sensations with movement
What causes Spondylosis?
Age-related loss of disc height and hydration
Osteoarthritis of the facet joints
Bone spurs (osteophytes) forming along the vertebrae
Genetics and family history of spinal degeneration
Repetitive strain, heavy physical work, or prior spine injury
How is Spondylosis diagnosed?
Dr. Melamed distinguishes spondylosis that is simply showing up on imaging from spondylosis that is actually causing your pain. That starts with a careful history and physical exam to see whether your symptoms are mechanical (from arthritic joints) or neurological (from a pinched nerve). X-rays show disc-height loss and bone spurs, while an MRI reveals whether the degeneration is compressing a nerve root or the spinal cord.
How is Spondylosis treated?
Because spondylosis is a wear pattern rather than a single fixable lesion, treatment is aimed at symptoms and function. Nearly everyone starts with a conservative plan: physical therapy to build the muscles that support the spine, activity modification, anti-inflammatory measures, and sometimes image-guided injections into an arthritic joint or an irritated nerve root.
Surgery is a last resort, reserved for the specific cases where a spur or disc is compressing a nerve or the spinal cord and causing pain, weakness, or numbness that conservative care has not relieved. When that point is reached, Dr. Melamed favors targeted, muscle-sparing decompression — such as biportal endoscopic surgery — that removes only the offending spur or disc fragment while preserving the surrounding joints, muscle, and as much natural motion as possible. Fusion is considered only when there is true instability.
Essentially, yes. Spondylosis is osteoarthritis as it affects the spine — the discs, joints, and bones of the vertebral column. It is one of the most common findings on spine imaging in adults over 40, and on its own it is not dangerous.
Does spondylosis always get worse?
The underlying degeneration progresses slowly with age, but your symptoms do not have to. Many people keep spondylosis quiet for years with strengthening, staying active, and managing flare-ups. Progressive weakness, numbness, or balance changes are the signs to be evaluated promptly.
Will I need surgery for spondylosis?
Most people never do. Surgery is only considered when degenerative changes are pinching a nerve or the spinal cord and causing symptoms that conservative care has not resolved. Even then, the aim is the smallest, most muscle-sparing procedure that solves the specific problem.
What is the difference between spondylosis and spondylolisthesis?
They sound alike but are different. Spondylosis is general wear and arthritis of the spine. Spondylolisthesis is when one vertebra slips forward over the one below it. Spondylosis can contribute to a slip, but they are not the same diagnosis.
