Spondylosis, often called spinal osteoarthritis, is a degenerative condition affecting the spine, causing wear and tear on bones, discs, and joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and potentially nerve compression. Here's a more detailed explanation: What is Spondylosis? Definition: Spondylosis is a general term for age-related wear and tear of the spine, affecting the disks and joints. It's essentially osteoarthritis of the spine. Cause: The most common cause is the cumulative stress on the spine's joints and structures over time. What's Affected: Discs: The discs between the vertebrae (spinal bones) can dehydrate, shrink, and lose their cushioning effect. Joints: Cartilage in the spine's joints can wear down, leading to bone spurs (abnormal bone growth). Ligaments: Ligaments, which connect the vertebrae, can thicken. Common Locations: Spondylosis can affect any part of the spine, but it's more common in the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) areas. Not Always Symptomatic: Many people with spondylosis don't experience any symptoms, or their symptoms are mild. Progression: Spondylosis typically develops gradually over time. Effects of Spondylosis: Pain and Stiffness: Spondylosis can cause pain and stiffness in the neck, back, or limbs. Nerve Compression: As the discs and joints degenerate, they can press on nerves, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs. Spinal Stenosis: In severe cases, spondylosis can lead to spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal, which can further compress the spinal cord and nerves. Limited Range of Motion: Spondylosis can cause a decrease in the ability to move the neck or back. Other Symptoms: In some cases, people with spondylosis may experience a grinding feeling when they move their neck or back. Spinal Cord Dysfunction: In advanced cases, spinal cord dysfunction can occur, particularly in the cervical spine. Cervical spondylosis - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic Overview. Cervical spondylosis is a general term for age-related wear and tear affecting the spinal disks in your neck. As the dis... Mayo Clinic Cervical Spondylosis: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment Spondylosis is when parts of your spine begin to wear out. Healthcare providers sometimes call it osteoarthritis of the neck or ar... Cleveland Clinic Cervical Spondylosis | Johns Hopkins Medicine Cervical spondylosis is a type of degenerative disease that affects your neck. ... Once this protective cartilage is gone, spurs m... Johns Hopkins Medicine Show all This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional. Generative AI is experimental.