- There are several medical terms that sound similar to and are often confused with spondylosis including the following:
- Spondylitis is inflammation of one or more vertebrae, such as in ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory form of arthritis of the spine. This is a very different process from spondylosis because spondylosis is degenerative while spondylitis is inflammatory.
- Spondylolysis is the incomplete development and formation of the connecting part of the vertebra, the pars interarticularis. This defect predisposes to spondylolisthesis (see below) because of spinal instability.
What are the types of spondylitis?
Ankylosing Spondylitis:
In this, there is inflammation in the spine and pelvis which also causes inflammatory back pain. This usually starts at the age of 45 and it most of the time improves by continuous activity but not by resting.
As time passes inflammation may lead to ankylosis which is the formation of new bone in the spine. Thus making the spine fixed in an immobile position.
Lumbar Spondylitis
n most cases lumbar spondylitis occurs as a result of degenerative changes in the spine as we age intervertebral discs become dry and then around the time you turn 40. Disc degeneration can cause herniation one of the signs of lumbar spondylitis. Aging can also produce signs of spondylosis like bone spurs on the vertebral body or facet joints in the lumbar region of the spine. With age ligaments that bind the spine together become thickened and Stiff this condition also can cause symptoms of lumbar spondylosis. Usually lumbar spondylosis occurs in the elderly but some factors contribute to its development in young people one major causes an injury to the lumbar region of the spine. Overweight and in activity are also risk factors in the development of lumbar spondylosis. Holding your lumbar spine in an uncomfortable position for prolonged periods can contribute to the development of spondylitis.
Reactive arthritis
Normal wear and tear of the lumbar (lower back) spinal discs is referred to as lumbar spondylosis. Spinal discs lose moisture and shrink as we age, bone spurs form, and bones become weaker. While many people over the age of 50 have mild lumbar spondylosis, the majority have no symptoms.
Reactive arthritis is joint inflammation linked to an infection taking place elsewhere in your body. In addition to your joints, this type of arthritis can cause swelling and pain in your bladder and genital area as well as your mucus membranes and eyes. You may also have mouth sores, skin rashes, a fever and other signs of infection.
What causes ankylosing spondylitis?
The exact cause of AS is unknown. But researchers think that genetics play a role. A gene called HLA-B27 is found in most white Americans who have AS. But this gene is found in only 50% of African Americans who have AS. There are also some people with the HLA-B27 gene that don’t develop AS. Less than 5% of people with the HLA-B27 gene have AS.
What causes Lumbar Spondylitis?
Many people (27%-37%) with lumbar spondylosis do not experience any symptoms.
Those that do usually improve within a short time using conservative treatments, and very few develop chronic pain.
Because there are many different causes of lumbar spondylosis, symptoms vary greatly. Signs and symptoms can include:
- Back pain
- Decreased range of motion and flexibility, either in the low back or legs, especially first thing in the morning or after periods of inactivity
- Stiffness or tenderness in the low back
- Numbness and tingling and/or shooting or radiating pain (known as lumbar radiculopathy) from the low back into the buttock or leg(s)
- Weakness in the leg or foot if a nerve is severely pinched
- Numbness, tingling and weakness can also be due to lumbar spondylosis that is injuring the spinal cord (myelopathy), for example, from a large herniated disc pushing on the spinal cord
What is to know about spondylitis?
Spondylitis is an umbrella term for a group of chronic arthritis-type diseases affecting the joints of the spine and sacroiliac region. The sacroiliac region includes the pelvis and lower spine.
Medical professionals categorize spondylitis into different subtypes. Some subtypes cause widespread inflammation that may affect multiple organs or systems within the body.
This article describes what spondylitis is and how it differs from a similar condition called spondylosis. We then outline the different types of spondylitis and their associated causes and symptoms. Finally, we provide information on diagnosing and treating spondylitis.
