Spondylosis Specialist
Interventional Pain Management Services
Pain Management located in St. Louis, MO & Granite City, IL
As you get older, many changes occur in your body — even within your spine. Nearly everyone is at risk for spondylosis, a degenerative form of arthritis that can cause chronic pain and limit your spinal functionality. The pain management specialists at Interventional Pain Management Services, with one office in St. Louis and one in Granite City, Missouri, offer effective strategies to help slow down the progression of your condition and increase your functionality. Learn more about steroid injections and other treatments for spondylosis by calling the office nearest you or booking an appointment online today.
Spondylosis Q & A
What is spondylosis?
Spondylosis is a type of arthritis that causes degenerative changes in your spine. These changes may be the result of an underlying medical condition, such as osteoarthritis, or the presence of bone spurs that form on your spine.
Spinal changes can occur in any part of your spine, including your:
- Cervical spine, or neck
- Lumbar spine, or lower back
- Thoracic spine, or mid and upper back
In addition to aging, spondylosis can develop due to injuries that weaken or damage the vertebrae and protective discs that sit between them. You may also be at increased risk for developing spinal changes due to having a family history of the condition.
What are the symptoms of spondylosis?
There are a variety of symptoms that can develop over time as your spine breaks down. For some, disc degeneration can cause pinched or compressed nerves that lead to chronic back pain and frequent headaches.
You may also struggle with pain or limited range of motion when walking, sitting, or standing, especially for long periods of time. The chronic pain of spinal degeneration can make it difficult to work or even rest comfortably.
With spondylosis, you might even experience spinal changes without any noticeable symptoms.
How is spondylosis diagnosed?
To identify spondylosis, your Interventional Pain Management Services physician may order imaging tests, such as an MRI or X-ray. These tests allow better visibility of any possible bone spurs, narrowing of your spinal disc space, or nerve compression.
In addition to imaging tests, the pain management team performs a comprehensive physical exam of your spinal column to rule out other issues that may be causing your pain and mobility issues.
What treatments are available for spondylosis?’
Because spondylosis occurs due to degeneration of the spine, there’s no cure for the condition. However, the Interventional Pain Management Services team creates a custom treatment plan to help manage your symptoms and possibly slow down the progression of the degeneration.
Physical therapy might help to strengthen the muscles that support your spine and relieve tension that may contribute to chronic pain.
For severe pain that interferes with your usual activities, you might benefit from injectable treatments, like nerve blocks, which deliver numbing medications to the nerves in your spine. Epidural steroid injections are also available that use a combination of anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications to help alleviate pain for weeks at a time.*
If you have unexplained back or neck pain that may relate to spondylosis, schedule an evaluation at Interventional Pain Management Services online or by phone today.