Osteoarthritis, in general, is the most common type of arthritis and affects middle-aged or older people most frequently. It can cause a breakdown of cartilage in joints and occur in almost any joint in the body. It most commonly affects the hips, knees, hands, lower back and neck. Cartilage is a firm, rubbery material that covers the ends of bones in normal joints. It serves as a kind of "shock absorber," helping to reduce friction in the joints.

When osteoarthritis affects the spine, it is known as spondylosis. Spondylosis is a degenerative disorder that can cause loss of normal spinal structure and function. Although aging is the primary cause, the location and rate of degeneration varies per person. Spondylosis can affect the cervical, thoracic and/or lumbar regions of the spine, with involvement of the intervertebral discs and facet joints. This can lead to disc degeneration, bone spurs, pinched nerves and an enlargement or overgrowth of bone that narrows the central and nerve root canals, causing impaired function and pain.

When spondylosis affects the lumbar spine, several vertebrae usually are involved. Because the lumbar spine carries most of the body's weight, activity or periods of inactivity can both trigger symptoms. Specific movements, sitting for prolonged periods of time and lifting and bending all may increase pain.

When spondylosis worsens, a patient may develop spinal stenosis — a narrowing of spaces in the spine that results in pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. The narrowing can affect a small or large area of the spine. Pressure on the upper part of the spinal cord may produce pain or numbness in the shoulders and arms. Pressure on the lower part of the spinal cord or on nerve roots branching out from that area may cause pain or numbness in the legs.

To learn more about Spondylosis, visit AANS.org

Information sourced from https://www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Os...

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