Spondylosis

Diagnosing Spondylosis

Spondylosis does not always cause symptoms, but if it does, they can range from mild to severe.

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms of spondylosis may include:

• Difficulty walking
• Loss of balance
• Pain in the affected area of the spine
• Sciatica
• Stiffness or reduced range of motion, particularly after long periods of stillness
• Tingling in the arms and legs
• Weakness

Diagnosis

Your doctor can diagnose spondylosis using one or more of the following tests:

• Computed tomography (CT) scan—to produce detailed images of your spinal bones.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—to produce detailed pictures of your spinal cord and nerves.
• X-rays—of the spine.

Spondylosis Treatment

We treat most patients with spondylosis without surgery. But surgeons at The Christ Hospital offer surgery when it’s the best option.

Nonsurgical Treatments

Treatment options may include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)—to alleviate pain and swelling.
• Epidural steroid injections—to reduce inflammation and pain in the spine.
• Exercise and physical therapy—to strengthen back, core and glute muscles so they better support the spine.
• Facet joint injections—to relieve pain in the affected joints.

Surgical Treatments

Spondylosis rarely requires surgery. When needed, surgery relieves nerve pressure and stabilizes the spine. Surgical options for spondylosis include:

• Facetectomy—to remove part of an arthritic facet joint.
• Foraminotomy—enlarges the space around a nerve to reduce compression.
• Laminectomy or laminotomy—removes part of the vertebra to relieve pressure.

We may combine these procedures with spinal fusion to improve stability.