We’re sure you’ll agree that the aging process is no fun. That’s especially true when faced with degenerative conditions of the spine like spondylosis.
Let’s find out what it is, and how you can reduce pain and continue your normal activity.
Spondylosis: What Is It?
Spondylosis is the general term to describe the degeneration of the spine. This can happen in the joints, discs, and bones of the spine as you get older.
Spondylosis vs. Arthritis
Arthritis is a term used to describe conditions that cause painful joints. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis.
Wear and tear over a lifetime causes the cartilage between two bones to disappear. With less or no cartilage, the bones can make contact, causing pain.
On the other hand, spondylosis is osteoarthritis that’s found specifically in the spine. It’s often called spinal osteoarthritis or degenerative disc disease.
There are 33 bones that make up your spine. Each of these has a disc set between them. These act like cushions that protect your spine and make it flexible.
The bones of your spine are connected by facet joints. These are the joints that suffer from spondylosis as the protective cartilage surfaces disappear.