Spondylosis can lead to spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal. As a result, the spinal cord and/or spinal nerve roots can become compressed (pinched). For example, the cervical spinal cord can be affected by compression from spondylosis. This is called cervical spondylotic myelopathy.
If cervical spondylosis severely compresses your spinal cord or nerve roots, the damage can be permanent.
Cervical spondylosis is a general term for age-related wear and tear in the cervical spine (neck) that can lead to neck pain, neck stiffness and other symptoms. Sometimes this condition is called arthritis or osteoarthritis of the neck.
Cervical spondylosis usually doesn't lead to disability. But sometimes these changes in the spine can cause the spinal cord or nerve roots attached to it to become compressed. This can cause your legs or hands to feel weak or clumsy.
Pain usually comes and goes, with flare-ups followed by symptom-free periods. Rarely, it can irritate a nerve in the neck, which can cause symptoms such as pain and or altered sensation in your arm for example pins and needles or numbness. If any of these occur, it's a good idea to talk to a health care professional.
Joint damage
AS can cause joints such as the hips and knees to become inflamed. This can damage the affected joints over time, making them painful and difficult to move. If a joint becomes particularly damaged, you may need surgery to replace it with an artificial joint.
Untreated spondylolysis can lead to spondylolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis happens when your vertebrae are cracked or weakened enough by spondylolysis to slip out of place. If a slipped vertebra presses on a nerve, you may develop shooting pain in your legs (sciatica).
There should be restriction of heavy lifting; excessive bending, twisting, or stooping; and avoidance of any work or recreational activities that cause stress to the lumbar spine. Your physician will outline a rehabilitation program to return you to your activities as soon as possible.
Life expectancy for people with ankylosing spondylitis is the same as that of the general population, except for patients with severe symptoms and complications. Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disease.
Too Little Movement. When you aren't active enough, your spine, muscles, and joints can become stiffer. You also miss out on the flexibility, posture, pain-relief, and overall health benefits too.
Causes of AS Flares
In a study on AS flares, patients reported “the main perceived triggers of flare were stress and 'overdoing it,'” Dr. Appleyard says. “Keep in mind 'stress' may mean both physical stress, such as an illness, or emotional stress. Excess fatigue may also trigger a flare.”
Advanced cervical spondylosis can cause both neurological decline and severe pain, leading to significant disability and impairment of activities of daily living.
Because spondylosis is a degenerative process, it is irreversible, and treatment focuses on relieving back and neck pain.
Spondylosis is common, but it is usually not serious. Many who have it experience no pain, though it can be painful for some. Most patients with spinal osteoarthritis will not need surgery.
Pain and soreness in the neck, shoulders, or lower back; pain may worsen with standing (if it originates in the lower back) or moving the head (if it originates in the neck) Stiffness. Tenderness. Tingling or pins-and-needles sensation that radiates down the arms or legs.
The symptoms of spondylosis often develop slowly over time, but they may also start or get worse suddenly. Symptoms include: Pain that may be mild, or it can be deep and so severe that you are unable to move. Pain over the shoulder blade.
Walk It Off
For those who can safely exercise, Dr. Tehrani recommends low-impact activities like walking. Joint deformities, fused joints, misinformation, and fear of getting hurt can discourage some people from exercising, Tehrani says, but walking is a great way to ease into physical activity.
Sometimes a stress fracture in a vertebra causes significant, chronic pain that interferes with daily activities and is not alleviated by nonsurgical treatments. In this instance, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair the fracture and, if necessary, fuse two or more bones in the spine.
Vertigo, headache, palpitation, nausea, abdominal discomfort, tinnitus, blurred vision, and hypomnesia are common symptoms in patients with cervical spondylosis.
Ankylosing spondylitis may affect more than the spine. The disease may inflame joints in the pelvis, shoulders, hips and knees, and between the spine and ribs.
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a type of progressive arthritis that leads to chronic inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joints. It can also affect other joints and organs in the body, such as the eyes, lungs, kidneys, shoulders, knees, hips, heart, and ankles.
Basics of ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis primarily affects the spine or back. In a person with ankylosing spondylitis, the joints and ligaments that normally permit the spine to move become inflamed and stiff. The bones of the spine may grow together, causing the spine to become rigid and inflexible.
Most people with cervical spondylosis have some long-term symptoms. These symptoms improve with non-surgical treatment and do not need surgery. Many people with this problem are able to maintain an active life. Some people will have to live with chronic (long-term) pain.