Case Study 191: Degenerative Osteoarthritis of the Spine Today’s case dives into one of the most common spinal conditions we see - degenerative osteoarthritis. This occurs when the protective cartilage between the vertebrae breaks down over time, leading to bone-on-bone grinding, stiffness, pain, and sometimes nerve compression. 📊 Fast Facts & Data: • Affects 85% of people over age 60 to some degree • Most common levels: C5-C6 and L4–L5 • Symptoms include neck/back pain, limited mobility, and r