If the cartilage wears away completely, it can result in bone rubbing on bone. The smooth, slippery articular cartilage that covers and protects the joints wears away. Eventually, the cushioning qualities of the disks begins to decrease.Īs the facet joints experience increased pressure, they also begin to degenerate and develop arthritis, similar to what may occur in the hip or knee joint. This problem causes settling, or collapse, of the disk spaces and loss of disk space height. They also lose water content, begin to dry out and weaken. Disk Degeneration and Bone SpursĪs the disks in the spine age, they lose height and begin to bulge. ![]() In fact, nearly half of all people middle-aged and older have worn disks that do not cause painful symptoms. ![]() These changes are normal and they occur in everyone. Cervical spondylosis arises from degenerative changes that occur in the spine as we age.
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