Spondylosis is an age-related, arthritic condition that affects the spinal structures of people aged 65 and older. While aging is a non-preventable risk for spondylosis, there are also known lifestyle habits you can change now to protect your spine from the condition.
At New Tampa Interventional Pain and Sports Medicine, we specialize in diagnosing and treating spondylosis.
Our board-certified pain management physician, Jose De La Torre, MD, and his skilled team focus on nonsurgical treatments to improve your mobility and provide lasting pain relief.
Dr. De La Torre also recommends lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and other strategies that slow the progression of spondylosis to keep you active and independent
Spondylosis is a type of degenerative arthritis that affects the spinal discs, ligaments, joints, and bones.
Most often, degenerative changes affect the neck, a condition known as cervical spondylosis. However, some people can also experience degeneration of the lower back (lumbar spondylosis).
When spinal discs, ligaments, and vertebrae break down with overuse and age, it can affect your mobility and cause symptoms that disrupt your quality of life. In early stages, symptoms of spondylosis may not be noticeable, but as the condition progresses, you may experience symptoms in the lower back pain, neck pain, and:
Symptoms may initially be occasional, improving with rest and movement modifications. With time, symptom flares may be more frequent and intense.
In severe cases, spondylosis can affect surrounding nerves or your spinal cord, causing a loss of balance and impaired mobility.
The primary cause of spondylosis is aging. As you get older, the discs in your spine lose water, become less flexible, and shrink. These discs are meant to prevent vertebrae from rubbing together, which creates friction and inflammation. Without disc protection, vertebral damage can occur.
Aging also changes the structure of your joints, causing the bones to break down. The formation of bone spurs is also likely, which can lead to chronic pain if they compress nearby joints.
Other factors that influence your spine health and can lead to spondylosis at an earlier age include:
At New Tampa Interventional Pain and Sports Medicine, we offer a range of nonsurgical treatments to support symptom relief. Dr. De La Torre also focuses on strategies to prevent spondylosis from getting worse.
The initial treatment for occasional spondylosis symptoms typically focuses on lifestyle changes to increase physical activity. Regular exercise and physical therapy help strengthen muscles to support the spine and offer weight-loss benefits.
If spondylosis pain and other symptoms limit what you can do, Dr. De La Torre might recommend treatments like:
For those with advanced spinal degeneration, Dr. De La Torre discusses your options for surgery to remove damaged discs or bone spurs. Radio frequency ablation or minimally invasive surgery may also be needed to relieve compression on the spinal cord or surrounding nerves.
Call New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine in Wesley Chapel, Florida, today to schedule a spondylosis consultation or book an appointment online.
