Spondylitis and spondylosis are separate conditions with some similarities and some important differences. It is easy to confuse the conditions since they sound similar and share many symptoms.

Spondylitis – which may also be known as spondyloarthritis or axSpA – is an inflammatory condition caused by the immune system attacking the joints and other tissues. Spondylitis develops before age 45, and most people experience their first symptoms in their 20s or 30s. Spondylitis is a fairly rare disease, occurring in only about 1 percent of the population. “Spondyl-” means vertebrae, the bones of the spine. “-Itis” means inflammation.

Spondylosis, or spinal osteoarthritis, is not an inflammatory condition, but spinal arthritis that develops with normal wear and tear as part of the aging process. Spondylosis is very common and becomes more prevalent with age. More than 85 percent of those age 60 and over experience cervical spondylosis, or arthritis in the bones of the neck. “-Osis” means an abnormal state.

Symptoms of Spondylitis and Spondylosis
Both spondylosis and spondylitis are diseases that cause chronic, degenerative back and hip pain and stiffness that can diminish range of motion and cause trouble walking. Spondylitis and spondylosis may share other symptoms, including bowel or bladder problems and neuropathy (numbness and tingling sensation) in the extremities.

However, the inflammation from spondylitis can spread to affect other joints, the eyes, the digestive system, or the skin.

Read more details about spondylitis symptoms.

Causes of Spondylitis vs. Spondylosis
Spondylitis is caused by inflammation related to an overactive immune system, whereas spondylosis is caused by normal wear and tear that may be exacerbated by previous injuries.

Spondylosis is a condition of the spine which allows too much movement and sometimes results in fractures in the spine. I too am diagnosed with spondylosis. It usually occurs in the L5/S1 vertebrae. Not sure if it occurs anywhere else. In my case, I was born with the condition in the S1 vertebrae, it didn't fully form in the womb. Back then it was called Pars Defect. It creates other conditions in the spine as you grow older. Too much movement meant that my spine was weak in that spot and my spine whips with every jolt. It caused the discs in my neck to completely collapse on one side and the other side was completely blown out. I had surgery to correct this and I have discovered a whole new world of pain since then. It doesn't matter what life brings, EVERYTHING IS IN YOUR PERCEPTIONS. SO PERCEIVE EACH DAY IS GOOD AND GOD'S GOT YOU ❤️🙌

Elma Wallace
Did you get better pain relief on the higher dose of oxycodone? If you did then don't be pressured to reduce the amount you take, doctors have no idea what we go through and don't care if your in constant pain. Take whatever works for you. X

Tracy Allen, I smile every day 😊. I can't say that life on the planet has been kind. I also was told to deal with it and in my stepdads house, children were seen and not heard. My oldest sister and I did ALL of the work from the age of 7 years old (me 7 she 12) till we left home. She left at 18 and I got emancipated at 15 years of age. Married and a mother by my 16th year. Not a good marriage and he deserted me and our daughter before she was 2 years old. My childhood was a nightmare but I don't want to go into the details. Three bad marriages and two decades later I met my present husband. He is a good man and though I am not easy to live with he is kind and long-suffering with me. I am a serious person and he is hardly ever serious 🤣. It's infuriating most of the time but I have never met a heart like his ❤️🙌🙌🙌 and we are committed to one another. God is good to be so generous to me and I am grateful 🙌🙌🙌