What is Spondylosis?

Answer 1

Spondylosis is a type of Arthritis of the spine. Spondylosis involves growth of osteophytes (bony protrusions) of the bones which form the openings through which nerves from the spine pass. These openings are called foramina (singular "foramen"). If the spondylosis is sufficiently severe, the osteophytes can make the foramina so small that the exiting nerve root is pinched. This can cause radicular pain. Radicular pain is pain radiating from the spine (usually into an extremity), caused by pressure on a nerve root. Not all spondylosis causes pinched nerves though.

Answer 2

Antegrade spondylolisthesis is the condition or problem of the spinal column that results when one vertebra (spinal bone) slips forward in relation to the vertebra that is below it. This specific term is used to draw a distinction between another condition which is the opposite of antegrade spondylolisthesis, called retrograde spondylolisthesis or retrolisthesis.

Typically and traditionally the term spondylolisthesis by definition means the forward slippage of one vertebra in relation to the one below it, but the additional term antergrade is added to clarify the direction of abnormal movement because of the occasional occurrence of backward movement.

Retrograde spondylolisthesis, or retrolisthesis, is the condition or problem that results when one vertebra (spinal bone) slips backward in relation to the vertebra that is below it. This is a rather rare and unusual problem compared to the more common antegrade spondylolisthsis.

Answer 3

Spondylolisthesis is a medical condition that occurs when a vertebra pops out of place. Surgery is sometimes needed to correct the issue, but isn't always the first resort.