Spondylosis
Treatment in Dubai
Spondylosis, a slow march of wear and tear, is happening to us whether we can see it or not.
What is Spondylosis?
Spondylosis is a degenerative disease that happens due to the ageing process. As we age, our bones, muscles, nerves, and ligaments weaken such that their efficiency decreases over time. In spondylosis, the spine’s natural wear affects all parts of the spine, including intervertebral discs, facet joints, and ligaments. Since it is an age-related problem, it is very common. We provide effective spondylosis treatment in Dubai, improving patients’ conditions.
Spondylosis is also known as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis of the spine. According to the rate of progression, the affected site of the spine, and the damage caused, it is classified into different categories, namely:
Cervical or neck spondylosis
The spine is classified into four areas, namely cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. When spondylosis starts at the top of the spine, in the neck region, it is called cervical spondylosis. More than 80% of people over 60 years of age have evidence of cervical spondylosis.
Thoracic spondylosis
In the thoracic region, the overall spine is thicker and stronger than the cervical vertebrae. But, due to less movement in the thoracic spine, spondylosis causes fewer problems.
Lumbar spondylosis
When spondylosis affects the lower back, it typically causes lower back pain. If it causes bone spurs that lead to nerve compression, it can cause sciatica or symptoms of spinal stenosis. Symptoms are usually unnoticed in the beginning.
Spondylosis: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments
Causes
With progressing age, degenerative changes start to affect the spine as they do all other body parts. The cushioning liquid in the spine canal, which provides flexibility to both vertebral and intervertebral discs, starts drying; as a result, the discs become brittle and less flexible. With age, the spine also becomes more brittle (osteoporosis), and the ligaments may harden. Spondylosis may be accelerated by trauma, injury, poor posture, obesity, or untrained repetitive movements whilst exercising. Spondylosis can take a toll on the neck, cervical spine, or other parts of the spine, causing pain and discomfort.
Symptoms
Some well-observed spondylosis symptoms are as follows:
Stiffness
As mentioned above, the spine feels stiff due to the restricted movement of the vertebrae, muscles, and ligaments.
Tingling sensations (pins and needles)
Age-related degeneration has a high risk of causing bone spurs that irritate nerve roots, causing tingling sensations. The intensity of the sensation may increase, extending to the arms and hands or to the legs and feet.
Sciatica or cervical radiculopathy
Sciatica (leg pain) and cervical radiculopathy (arm pain) are classic examples of neurological problems caused due to bone spurs triggered due to spondylosis or degenerative joint diseases.
Muscle spasms
There can be muscle spasms surrounding painful areas associated with spondylosis. The surrounding lesser flexible muscles are prone to muscular spasms due to spondylosis.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of degenerative joint disorder in Dubai includes multiple steps. Our doctors start diagnosis by undertaking a complete medical history, followed by physical and neurological examination. Dr Sherief may then consider other screening tests such as X-ray, Computerized Tomography (CT-scan), and Magnetic Resonance Tests (MRI) to have a more detailed picture of the spine.
Spondylosis Treatment and Spine-Pain Management
Spondylosis can be treated both by non-operative and operative approaches, depending upon the area of the spine affected. The non-operative approach is moderate and recommended in most cases, while operative measures are taken when the disorder does not respond to these conservative methods.
Non-surgical Spondylosis pain management
Our non-surgical spondylosis treatment in Dubai includes two approaches, namely:
- Medications – Typically, doctors initially treat spondylosis with pain management medications, non-steroidal drugs, muscle relaxants, and spinal injections. Usually, the pain caused due to spondylosis subsides with medicines.
- Therapies – Physiotherapy provides overall musculoskeletal relief from degenerative joint disease, nerve compression, spinal deformities, and more.
Surgical Spondylosis Treatment in Dubai
Though non-surgical treatment is preferred over surgery, some advanced cases need surgical intervention. Surgery is advised when neurological symptoms or signs cause significant pain or disability.
Table of Contents
Why choose
Dr Sherief Elsayed for treatment?
Dr Sherief Elsayed is one of the top spine surgeons in Dubai. He treats his patients with compassion and technically competent care. He has treated many complex spine disorders, resulting in life-changing improvements.
FAQ
Spondylosis is degenerative arthritis affecting the spine, involving wear and tear of the discs and facet joints. As discs lose height and joints develop arthritis, bone spurs often form. This process is extremely common with ageing and can occur in the neck (cervical spondylosis), mid-back (thoracic), or lower back (lumbar). Many people have spondylosis visible on scans but no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they typically include stiffness, pain, and sometimes nerve compression if bone spurs encroach on nerve pathways. It’s part of normal ageing rather than a disease as such.
For most people, spondylosis causes manageable symptoms that respond well to conservative treatment. It becomes more concerning when bone spurs compress nerves or the spinal cord, causing radiculopathy or myelopathy. Cervical spondylosis with cord compression can lead to progressive difficulty walking and hand clumsiness. Lumbar spondylosis might cause sciatica or spinal stenosis. However, many individuals live comfortably with spondylosis through activity modification, exercise, and occasional pain relief. The key is monitoring for neurological symptoms that suggest nerve involvement, which may require more active intervention.
Certain factors can accelerate progression or worsen symptoms. Smoking reduces blood supply to spinal structures, promoting degeneration. Repetitive heavy lifting or occupations involving prolonged awkward postures increase stress on the spine. Previous injuries can lead to accelerated arthritis at affected levels. Excess weight places additional load on the spine. Genetics also play a role, as some families show earlier or more severe degenerative changes. Conversely, staying active, maintaining good posture, not smoking, and keeping a healthy weight can help manage symptoms and potentially slow progression.
Absolutely. Most people with spondylosis manage well without surgery. Treatment includes regular exercise to maintain flexibility and strengthen supporting muscles, physiotherapy for specific techniques and postural advice, and pain relief medications when needed. Lifestyle modifications like ergonomic adjustments at work and avoiding aggravating activities help considerably. Spinal injections sometimes provide longer-lasting relief. Surgery is reserved for cases where nerve or cord compression causes significant symptoms that haven’t responded to conservative measures, or when neurological function is deteriorating.
Degenerative changes tend to progress gradually over time, though the rate varies greatly between individuals and sometimes slows or plateaus. In some cases, severe degeneration can actually become more stable as the spine stiffens. However, you cannot reliably predict who will experience progressive degeneration versus stable disease. This is why periodic review is sensible if you have symptomatic spondylosis, particularly if you develop new symptoms. The goal isn’t to stop degeneration entirely but to manage symptoms effectively and intervene if neurological compromise develops.