What is Spondylosis?
Spondylosis is a general term for age-related degenerative changes in the spine — including the intervertebral discs, vertebral bodies, facet joints, and ligaments. It is an extremely common condition affecting nearly everyone over 60 to some degree, though it can begin as early as the 30s.
While often used interchangeably with "osteoarthritis of the spine," spondylosis specifically refers to the constellation of degenerative changes including disc space narrowing, osteophyte (bone spur) formation, facet joint arthritis, and ligament hypertrophy. It can occur in the cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back), or lumbar (lower back) spine.
Symptoms
Chronic neck or back pain — dull, aching, stiffness
Pain worse in the morning and after prolonged inactivity
Reduced range of motion in neck or back
Grinding sensation (crepitus) with movement
Radiating pain into arms (cervical) or legs (lumbar)
Headaches from base of skull (cervical spondylosis)
Causes & Risk Factors
- Normal ageing — disc dehydration and height loss begins in 30s
- Genetic predisposition to early disc degeneration
- Previous spinal injury accelerating degeneration
- Occupational overuse — heavy labour, repetitive movements
- Obesity increasing mechanical load on the spine
- Smoking reducing disc nutrition
Diagnosis
- X-ray — shows disc space narrowing, osteophytes, alignment
- MRI scan — evaluates disc, nerve compression, and spinal cord
- CT scan — detailed bony changes and canal assessment
- Clinical neurological examination