Spondylosis and Spondylolithesis

It is the degenerative osteoarthritis of joints between the vertebrae and/or neural foramina as well as the vertebral bones and its endplates (the space between the two adjacent vertebrae) narrow which leads to compression of the nerve roots. This produces a local painful cascade of inflammatory reactions within the area and surrounding soft tissue and muscle. When untreated early, it may end in radiculopathy (compression of the nerve roots) which will aggravate the pain, sensory, and motor changes. It can also cause degenerative vertebral slipping (spondylolithesis) or spinal canal stenosis with its accompanying symptoms of difficulty in movement and neurogenic pain.

Spondylosis
This is an aging phenomenon. With age, the bones and ligaments in the spine wear, leading to bone spurs (osteoarthritis). Also, the intervertebral discs degenerate and weaken, which can lead to disc herniation and bulging discs. Over 80% of people over the age of 40 have evidence of spondylosis on X-ray studies. The rate at which spondylosis occurs is partly related to genetic predisposition as well as injury history.

A stiff, spastic or strained back is typically characterized by soreness and difficulty moving the spine, especially on trying to turn the body sideways. The pain can vary in intensity, ranging anywhere from an annoying discomfort to extremely painful, sharp, and limiting. The amount of reduction in spine motion and the pain can affect the individual’s routine daily activities like driving, reading and sleeping.

When surgical consideration is warranted for these conditions, classically most treatment options revolve around a large open operation for the decompression and stabilization with plates and screws. Other than being a major operation with a troublesome and uncomfortable postoperative course and restriction, fusion by definition decreases the spine natural mobility and produces chronic pain and uncomfortness. 

Alternatively at ECC we use a diversity of minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques to address the root cause of the problem according to each case, insuring the patient returns to his normal life and activity easier, faster and without restriction.