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Reasons for Spondylosis

Most physicians use the term spondylosis as an umbrella term to describe degeneration of the spine in the neck or lower back. It is not a diagnostic term since the cause of pain can be either degenerative disc disease or osteoarthritis. Common symptoms of spondylosis include the excess wear of the discs between the vertebrae, stiffness and pain in the neck or the lower back, numbness or weakness in the limbs, difficulty walking, or loss of bowel or bladder control.

  1. Poor Posture

    • The main cause of spondylosis in poor posture which affects how well you move. Whether you have excessive lordosis in your lower spine, kyphosis in your upper spine, or scoliosis along any part of your spine, all of these common posture deviations can cause excessive wear and tear in your spine, according to corrective exercise specialist Anthony Carey, author of "Pain-Free Program." You can prevent poor posture by sitting less, sit or stand with proper posture, and perform corrective exercises that address your particular posture and prevent further degeneration of your posture.

    Degenerative Disc Disease

    • Degenerative disc disease is the loss of elasticity and water in the intervertebral discs between the vertebrae, causing the reduction of space between the vertebrae. As you age, the water content decreases which reduces your ability to absorb shock, according to Dr. Peter Ullrich, Jr., who is an orthopedic surgeon with NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin. Degenerative disc disease is a natural phenomenon throughout our lives. The symptoms of back pain usually do not occur until you are in your 60s or 70s.

    Spinal Stenosis

    • Spinal stenosis is the abnormal narrowing between two vertebrae, usually within the cervical or lumbar spine. Narrowing of the lumbar spine can cause symptoms of sciatica, including numbness and pain on one side of hip or leg. Spinal stenosis in the neck is far more severe because pinching of the nerves can cause major body weakness or paralysis.

    Osteoarthritis

    • Osteoarthritis often refers to arthritis in the hip, knees, hands and wrists. Symptoms include the swelling, stiffness and inflammation of joints and the brittleness of the bones around the joint. Spondylosis resulting from osteoarthritis can occur with the degeneration of the discs and the reduction of fluids and cartilage between the vertebrae. Therefore, the constant friction between the joints can cause pain and muscle stiffness. Osteoarthritis can also cause secondary problems, such as spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease.

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