Condition guide
Spondylosis / Arthritis of the Spine
Age-related changes in spinal joints and surrounding structures that may contribute to stiffness or pain.
Overview
Spondylosis is a broad term for age-related changes in the spine: arthritis in the facet joints, bone spur formation, disc thinning, and stiffening of the segments. It is the spinal equivalent of arthritis elsewhere in the body, and like arthritis in a knee or hip, it becomes increasingly common with each decade.
Having spondylosis on imaging is not the same as having pain from it. Many people with substantial spinal arthritis have minimal symptoms, while others with milder changes have significant pain. The evaluation focuses on whether these changes explain your particular symptoms, and if so, which of the involved structures matter most.
Symptoms
- Stiffness in the neck or back, especially in the morning or after rest
- Pain with certain movements or sustained positions
- Aching that improves briefly with gentle activity
- Reduced range of motion or activity tolerance
- Referred discomfort toward the shoulder, buttock, or hip
- Occasionally, nerve-related symptoms if bone spurs narrow nerve passages
Possible causes
Age is the primary driver, but genetics, prior injury, occupations with heavy or repetitive loading, smoking, and excess weight influence how early and how significantly changes develop. Bone spurs form as the body responds to altered mechanics, and they occasionally narrow the spaces around nerves.
How it is diagnosed
Imaging findings are always matched to the examination, because spinal arthritis is common without symptoms. The evaluation identifies which movements provoke pain, whether nerves are involved, and whether other treatable sources are contributing. X-rays often show the overall pattern, while MRI is used when nerve involvement or disc problems need assessment.
Treatment options
Management typically combines rehabilitation designed for arthritic spines, activity modification that respects rather than avoids movement, weight management where relevant, and medication review. When examination and, when appropriate, diagnostic injections support a specific pain source such as the facet joints, targeted procedures including medial branch blocks and radiofrequency ablation may be considered.
When to see a specialist
Consider evaluation when stiffness or pain is persistent, worsening, or affecting daily function, when prior generic back treatment has not helped, or when nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or weakness develop alongside the stiffness.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Personalized evaluation in Boca Raton
Start with a conversation about your symptoms and goals.
This information is educational and does not replace an individual medical evaluation. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.