Severe spondylosis describes the presence of advanced spinal degeneration in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine segments. Spondylosis isn’t a condition as much as it is a descriptive term used to help explain the presence of back or neck pain. Severe spondylosis may include specific conditions such as herniated discs, arthritic facet joints, bone spurs, and other common results of spinal deterioration. Treating the painful symptoms of these conditions requires an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.
Severe spondylosis is often used as an umbrella term to explain the presence of spinal deterioration at various levels of the spine. This deterioration happens naturally over time and isn’t necessarily painful. This is why it is important for doctors to pinpoint the precise source of an individual’s back or neck pain, because different conditions will require different treatments.
Symptoms
Spine degeneration can result in a number of symptoms, depending on the location and type of condition. Some of the most common symptoms typically associated with severe spondylosis include:
- Chronic, local back or neck pain
- Stiffness and pain, especially when trying to stand up
- The feeling of bone-on-bone friction
- Hunching over when standing or walking
- Pain that radiates or travels along a nerve
- Unexpected muscle weakness or fatigue
- Muscle stiffness
- Diminished reflexes or motor skills
- A numb feeling or tingling sensation in the extremities
- Sciatica
Treatment
Typically, if a doctor discovers severe spondylosis on an MRI or CT scan, they will determine whether a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, or another degenerative condition is causing the patient’s pain.?A doctor will usually attempt to manage the patient’s symptoms and treat mild to moderate spondylosis with a steady course of conservative, nonsurgical treatment. Pain medication, physical therapy, and heat therapy are often recommended with great effect.
If, after several weeks, you are still experiencing pain from severe spondylosis, contact Laser Spine Institute to learn about our various minimally invasive endoscopic techniques as an alternative to open spine surgery. One of our gentle outpatient procedures may be just the thing you need to rediscover your life without back or neck pain.
