Symptoms
Common symptoms
- Stiffness and reduced motion
- Chronic neck or back pain
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness if nerves are compressed
- Headaches (cervical spondylosis)
- Symptoms worse in the morning or with weather changes
Spinal
Arthritis (Spondylosis) .
Age-related wear-and-tear changes affecting spinal discs and joints. These changes can lead to stiffness, bone spur formation, and narrowing around nerves or the spinal cord that may cause pain or neurologic symptoms.
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Diagnosis first. Treatment second.
Cervical or Lumbar (most common) spine condition treated with conservative options first and motion-preserving surgery when needed.
4
LA offices
Region
Cervical or Lumbar (most common)
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Spinal Arthritis (Spondylosis) at a glance
- What it is: Age-related wear-and-tear changes affecting spinal discs and joints. These changes can lead to stiffness, bone spur formation, and narrowing around nerves or the spinal cord that may cause pain or neurologic symptoms.
- Common symptoms: Stiffness and reduced motion; Chronic neck or back pain; Numbness, tingling, or weakness if nerves are compressed.
- First-line treatment: Activity modification — Low-impact aerobic exercise, weight management, and ergonomic improvements.
- When surgery is considered: progressive symptoms, neurological changes, or pain unresponsive to conservative care.
Symptoms & causes
Understanding spinal arthritis (spondylosis)
Causes
Common causes
- Age-related disc and joint wear
- Prior injury
- Repetitive load
- Genetic predisposition
How Dr. Yasmeh treats it
Treatment options
Dr. Yasmeh starts with the least-invasive option that fits your case and only escalates when clearly needed.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Most patients improve without surgery. Dr. Yasmeh sequences therapy, medication, and targeted injections before considering operative options.
- Activity modification — Low-impact aerobic exercise, weight management, and ergonomic improvements.
- Physical therapy — Mobility, strengthening, and posture work.
- Medication — NSAIDs and topical anti-inflammatories.
- Targeted injections — For inflammatory flare-ups or specific anatomic pain generators.
Surgical care
When neededWhen surgery is the right answer
When non-operative care has not worked or symptoms are progressive, Dr. Yasmeh offers motion-preserving techniques whenever clinically appropriate.
- Surgery (selected cases) — When nerves or cord are compromised, Dr. Yasmeh discusses decompression or motion-preserving procedures.
Common questions
About spinal arthritis (spondylosis).
- Most patients improve with conservative care — physical therapy, medication, and targeted injections. Dr. Yasmeh only recommends surgery when symptoms are progressive, when there is neurological compromise, or when conservative care has not resolved the problem.
- Diagnosis combines a careful history, physical exam, and imaging (typically MRI). Dr. Yasmeh reviews your imaging with you in plain language so you understand what's happening.
- Yes — Dr. Yasmeh offers second opinions, especially for patients told they need fusion. He evaluates motion-preserving alternatives like laminoplasty or artificial disc replacement when clinically appropriate.
- Dr. Yasmeh sees patients at four offices across Greater Los Angeles: East LA (1700 E Cesar Chavez Ave), Glendale (1505 Wilson Terrace), Santa Fe Springs (12215 Telegraph Rd), and Tarzana (18840 Ventura Blvd).
Related procedures
Procedures Dr. Yasmeh performs for this condition
Ready when you are
Get clarity on your spinal arthritis (spondylosis) today.
Same-week appointments. Four Greater LA offices. Most insurance accepted.