Spondylosis

Common symptoms of spondylosis may include any of the following:

• Back or neck pain or stiffness
• Numbness or tingling in the shoulders, arms or hands
• Tingling or burning in the back and extending to the hip or down the leg
• Weakness or impaired motor function in the arms, hands, legs or feet
• Shooting or sharp pain with sudden movements

• Chronic pain, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
• Bladder or bowel disfunction, especially incontinence
• Loss of balance
• Unexplained weakness

Any of these symptoms may instead be caused by something other than spondylosis. The only way to know what is causing a particular symptom is to see your physician. Consulting your physician when symptoms begin or worsen can lead to an earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.

More about spondylosis symptoms  >

Spondylosis can develop at any time and is increasingly common with age. There are three main types:

• Cervical spondylosis – Degeneration occurs in the joints and disks in the neck (or upper spine) and symptoms can spread into the shoulders, arms or hands.
• Thoracic spondylosis – Degeneration occurs in the joints and disks in the middle back (or middle spine) and symptoms can spread into the buttocks, hips, legs or feet.
• Lumbar spondylosis – Degeneration occurs in the lower back (or lower spine) and symptoms can spread into the buttocks, hips, legs or feet.

Houston Methodist takes a collaborative approach to your care, bringing together a team of specialists who create a personalized treatment plan for your spondylosis.

Treatment plans vary depending on the type and severity of your symptoms. Your health care team may use one or more of the following methods to treat and manage spondylosis:

• Non-prescription (over the counter) medication – Your doctor may recommend you take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) such as ibuprofen or aspirin for a short period of time to reduce mild pain or swelling.
• Prescription medication – Your doctor may prescribe you with a muscle relaxer for muscle spasms, an oral corticosteroid for inflammation or pain,  or an antiseizure medication to reduce pain from damaged nerves.
• Physical therapy – Your doctor may suggest you work with a physical therapist for non-surgical ways to reduce your pain and restore function. Rehabilitation therapies commonly used to treat spine conditions include strengthening and flexibility exercises , stretching, gentle massage and hot/cold compresses.
• Injection-based treatment – One or more therapies may be performed by injection (administered with a needle) to address nerve pain and reduce inflammation, including facet joint injections, epidural steroid injections and facet rhizotomy.
• Surgical procedure – In certain cases, surgery for spondylosis may be recommended if standard treatments aren’t enough to relieve symptoms. Whenever possible, our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques such as microdiscectomy, radiofrequency ablation or laminectomy. 

More about spondylosis treatments > 

We understand how difficult it can be to live with chronic back or neck pain. Whether you need a precise diagnosis or a second opinion, we can help. Our specialists can pinpoint the cause of your symptoms and design a personalized treatment plan to restore your quality of life.