7. Spondylosis Affects People of all Ages
We typically associate spondylosis with aging. However, genetic predisposition to the disease means that cases do occur in people of all ages. Some individuals will experience the first symptoms of the disease in their early twenties. While it’s rare for people to develop the condition at this age, genetic predispositions such as Ehlers-Danlos can influence the early onset of spondylosis.
Ehlers-Danlos affects the body’s ability to generate collagen. This protein is critical for the development of bone and cartilage. Individuals who are suffering from the disease experience a lack of collagen production.
This deficiency leads to the development of spondylosis and osteoarthritis in their joints.
The majority of individuals report their first symptoms associated with spondylosis between the ages of 30 and 50-years old. More than 40-percent of people older than 40-years have X-ray evidence of spondylosis.
Lumbar spondylosis is the most frequently cited form of the disease in people under the age of 40-years old. According to the Arthritis Foundation, 75-percent of people over the age of 60-years suffer from some form of the disease.