What Is Spondylosis & When It Causes Problems
Spondylosis (ICD-10 M47) is the general term for age-related wear of the spine — drying and thinning of the discs, bone spurs, and enlarged facet joints. It is extremely common and often causes no symptoms. When it does, it may cause neck or back stiffness and pain, or press on nerves or the spinal cord.
With age, the discs lose water and height, the facet joints wear and enlarge, and bone spurs (osteophytes) form at the edges of the vertebrae. This process is called spondylosis. In the neck it is cervical spondylosis; in the lower back, lumbar spondylosis. On its own it is a normal part of ageing, not a disease.
Spondylosis represents normal age-related changes in the spine that only require targeted treatment if they lead to nerve or spinal cord compression. Medically reviewed by Dr Jaydev Panchawagh, MS (General Surgery), MCh (Neurosurgery), Consultant Neurosurgeon, Pune (Last reviewed: [DD Month 2026]). For educational purposes only; individual outcomes vary and this content is not a substitute for personal medical advice.
When Spondylosis Causes Problems
Mechanical pain and stiffness, usually managed without surgery.
Arm pain from a pinched nerve in the neck (cervical radiculopathy) or leg pain from the lower back (sciatica).
Compression of the spinal cord in the neck causing clumsy hands and unsteady walking. Read about cervical myelopathy.
Narrowing of the lower spinal canal causing leg symptoms on walking. Read about canal stenosis.
Rapidly worsening weakness or clumsiness of the arms or legs, difficulty walking, or new loss of bladder or bowel control needs urgent assessment. After any neck or back injury, keep still and go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on symptoms and examination. X-rays show bone spurs and disc narrowing; MRI is used when nerve or spinal cord compression is suspected. Because spondylosis is so common on scans, the findings must be matched to the symptoms (see understanding radiological terms in spine reports).
Treatment
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Most people: Posture, regular exercise, physiotherapy, short courses of pain relief, and staying active.
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Nerve root compression: As above, sometimes injections; surgery if pain persists or weakness develops.
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Spinal cord compression: Surgery is often advised to prevent progression: ACDF from the front or cervical laminectomy from the back.
Spondylosis itself is managed; it is the compression of nerves or the spinal cord that may need surgery. The choice should follow the anatomy of your condition, your own circumstances — your health, your work, and what matters to you in recovery — and the advice of your neurosurgeon after examining you and reviewing your scans.
Questions to Ask Your Spine Surgeon or Neurosurgeon
These are the questions patients most often search for after a report mentions spondylosis:
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Symptom correlation: Is the spondylosis on my scan causing my symptoms?
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Neural compression: Is any nerve or the spinal cord being compressed?
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Rehabilitation: Which exercises and posture changes will help?
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Activity safety: Is it safe to continue my work and activities?
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Red flags: Which symptoms should make me return sooner?
Unless there is an emergency, spine surgery is a planned decision. Seeking a second opinion from a qualified spine surgeon or neurosurgeon before deciding is entirely appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
General information only. Please consult a qualified spine surgeon or neurosurgeon for advice about your situation.
Spondylosis is age-related wear of the spine: the discs lose height, the facet joints enlarge, and bone spurs form. It is very common, often causes no symptoms, and is called cervical spondylosis in the neck and lumbar spondylosis in the lower back.
Usually not. Most people with cervical spondylosis have, at most, neck pain and stiffness. It becomes more serious if it compresses a nerve root, causing arm pain or weakness, or the spinal cord, causing clumsy hands or unsteady walking.
The age-related changes cannot be reversed, but symptoms can usually be controlled well with exercise, posture, physiotherapy, and pain relief. Surgery is needed only when nerves or the spinal cord are compressed.
Gentle neck range-of-motion exercises, strengthening of the neck and upper back muscles, and posture correction usually help. A physiotherapist can tailor a programme. Avoid forceful neck manipulation if there are nerve or cord symptoms.
Spondylosis is general age-related wear of the spine. Spondylolisthesis is a specific condition in which one vertebra slips forward on the one below.
Spondylosis is managed by family doctors and physiotherapists, with a spine surgeon involved when nerves or the spinal cord are compressed. Dr Jaydev Panchawagh—MBBS (B.J. Medical College, Pune), MS in General Surgery (KEM Hospital, Pune), and MCh in Neurosurgery (Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai)—is a consultant neurosurgeon in Pune (102, Bhagyatara Society, Erandwane, Pune, Maharashtra 411004; Tel: +91-9011333841) who treats these complications.
