Spondylosis causes intense back pain and limited mobility, both of which can harm your quality of life. Expert orthopedic surgeon Dr. Faisal Mahmood diagnoses and treats the cause of spondylosis at One Oak Medical. He practices at their offices in Wayne, Paramus, Middletown, and Point Pleasant, New Jersey, as well as Staten Island, New York. If you suffer from severe back pain, don’t hesitate to call or schedule an appointment online for a consultation.
Spondylosis is a term that refers to wear and tear damage to your vertebrae, or the individual bones that comprise your spine. The term spondylosis comes from the Greek word for vertebrae.
Since spondylosis is a descriptive term rather than a diagnosable condition, it often refers to osteoarthritis or other degenerative diseases.
Spondylosis can occur anywhere in your spine, but the most common locations are the neck (cervical spondylosis) and the low back (lumbar spondylosis).
Spondylosis occurs when your spine changes and begins to degenerate. This condition becomes increasingly common with age, affecting more than 85% of people older than 60.
Over time, repetitive wear and tear to your spine can cause several back problems, such as:
Many people who have spondylosis don’t experience any symptoms at all. When symptoms do exist, the primary ones are pain and stiffness in the affected area of the spine. Other common symptoms of spondylosis include:
Dr. Mahmood begins with a review of your medical history and a thorough exam of your back, neck, shoulders, arms, and legs. He may test your reflexes, strength, and flexibility by gently pressing on various parts of your body and asking you to move them. To confirm the diagnosis, he may order imaging tests, such as an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan.
Then, Dr. Mahmood develops a treatment plan that most effectively addresses the underlying cause of your spondylosis. Treatment may involve:
Spondylosis treatment rarely involves surgery. However, Dr. Mahmood may recommend surgery in severe cases, such as if your spinal cord is compressed or a spinal nerve is being pinched. Surgery may also be necessary if you have severe pain that doesn’t improve with conservative treatments.
If you suffer from back pain or stiffness, call One Oak Medical or schedule an appointment online today.
