Spondylosis: What Are Spondylotic Changes and Should You Worry?

What exactly is spondylosis?

Spondylosis is the slow breakdown of the discs, joints and bones in your spine that comes with normal ageing. Think of it as your spine showing its mileage. The discs between your vertebrae lose water and become thinner. The small facet joints at the back of each vertebra develop rough surfaces. Your body often responds by growing small bony spurs (called osteophytes) to try to make things more stable.

Doctors sometimes write "spondylotic changes" on a scan report. The term can sound worrying. But it usually describes a process that has been happening slowly for years. Spondylosis can affect any part of the spine. In the neck, it is called cervical spondylosis. In the lower back, it is called lumbar spondylosis. The mid-back (thoracic region) is affected less often, because those vertebrae move less.

What are the symptoms of spondylosis?

Many people with spondylotic changes have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do develop, they tend to come on slowly, not suddenly. What you feel depends on where in your spine the changes are, and whether any nerves are affected.

What causes spondylosis?

Spondylosis is mainly caused by the build-up of everyday use over decades. Your spine takes thousands of loads each day. Over time, its structures naturally change.

What is the difference between spondylosis, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis?

These three terms sound almost the same, which causes a lot of confusion. They describe different problems.

• Spondylosis means general wear-and-tear changes, such as disc thinning, bone spurs and rough joints. It is a degenerative process.
• Spondylolysis is a stress fracture in a small piece of bone (the pars interarticularis) at the back of a vertebra. It is often linked to sports that involve arching the back again and again.
• Spondylolisthesis happens when one vertebra slips forward over the one below it. This can result from spondylolysis, degeneration, or other causes.

All three can affect how your spine lines up and carries weight. That is why seeing the whole spine while you stand matters.

How is spondylosis assessed with a standing scan?

A standing whole-body EOS scan captures your skeleton from head to feet while you are upright and carrying your own weight. This matters because spondylotic changes do not happen on their own. Your body is a connected chain. When one part of the spine stiffens or loses height, the areas above and below make up for it. Your pelvis may tilt, your curves may shift, and the place where you feel pain may not be the place causing the problem.

Standard X-rays, CT scans and MRI are usually taken lying down. In that position your muscles relax, gravity is removed, and alignment problems can be hidden. An EOS scan shows your spine working as it does in real life, standing under load. It uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less.

Is spondylosis serious, and what can help?

For most people, spondylosis is a normal part of ageing and not a reason to panic. Many spines with spondylotic changes cause no symptoms at all. When problems do arise, they can usually be managed. Your doctor, physiotherapist or consultant will advise on what suits you. Options often discussed include staying active, physiotherapy, pain management and, in some cases, a review by a surgeon.

What matters most is understanding the full picture. If your lower back is stiff because of spondylotic changes, your hips and knees may be taking on the extra work. That strain can show up as hip pain, knee pain, or changes to the way you walk. A whole-body standing scan helps find these knock-on effects, so that any treatment plan addresses the root cause, not just the symptom.

ScanAlign is a diagnostic imaging clinic. We do not provide treatment. The detailed alignment information from an EOS scan gives your treating specialist a clearer map to work with.

Before you start treatment, or change the one you are on, it is worth getting a detailed diagnosis. Knowing whether the cause sits in your pelvis, your legs or your spine changes what will actually help.

Frequently asked questions about spondylosis

Learn more

Find out how whole-body standing imaging works on the EOS scan overview page, or read about specific areas such as spinal alignment assessment, hip alignment and knee assessment.