Spondylosis Specialist

What is spondylosis?

Spondylosis, or spinal osteoarthritis, is a common condition associated with aging.

As you age, your body undergoes several changes on a cellular level, causing your discs to lose moisture and shrink. When this occurs in combination with normal wear and tear on your body, bone spurs can develop. Bone spurs are tiny, hard projections that pinch spinal nerve roots in the area and lead to pain and inflammation.

In addition to age-related degeneration, genetics and injuries to the spine can lead to spondylosis.

What are the symptoms of spondylosis?

All areas of the spine can be affected by spondylosis, including the neck, upper and mid back, lower back, and sacrum. Symptoms of spondylosis are most common in the neck and lower back. Pain is common due to bulged or herniated discs pinching nerves. This pain can radiate along the affected nerve and, depending on its location, cause sciatica pain in the leg.

In addition to pain, you might experience stiffness following inactive periods or rest as well as abnormal sensations in your extremities like numbness or tingling.

How is spondylosis diagnosed?

To diagnose spondylosis, a physician will perform a thorough physical exam that includes a neurological assessment. During these tests, they will review the physical appearance of your spine for abnormalities and palpate the area for tightness, spasms, or tenderness. The physician will also assesses your range of motion bending forward, backward, and side to side.

In addition to physical tests, our team might recommend digital images like CT scans or MRIs. These screenings allow him to look for abnormalities in your spine’s soft tissue and evaluate the height of your disc for signs of degeneration.

How is spondylosis treated?

Our team strives to provide conservative, evidence-based treatment options whenever possible. While spondylosis can be very painful, it often responds favorably to nonsurgical treatments. These might include:

• Cold or hot compresses
• Massage or ultrasound therapy
• Physical therapy including stretches and exercise
• Weight-loss strategies to ensure optimal physical fitness
• Ergonomic recommendations to improve posture and movement
• Medications like pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, or muscle relaxants

For spondylosis cases that don’t respond to conservative therapies, one of our physicians may recommend surgical treatment.

We service patients from all over the DFW area including North Dallas, Addison, Carrollton, Plano, Garland, Irving, Allen, Richardson, and University Park, Highland Park, Frisco and McKinney. 

If you have spondylosis, call Posture Perfect Wellness Center or schedule an appointment online today.

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