Osteoarthritis of the vertebral column

Osteoarthritis of the vertebral column, also known as spondylosis deformans, is common and usually merely referred to as spinal "degenerative change". Complications such as spinal stenosis are important to recognize. 

Radiographic features

The hallmark of osteoarthritis in the spine, as is the case elsewhere, is the presence of osteophytes. Traction osteophytes project obliquely or horizontally from the endplates, which is helpful in distinguishing them from syndesmophytes of ankylosing spondylitis.