spondylopathy spondylopathy spondylopathies are disorders of the vertebrae. when involving inflammation, it can be called spondylitis. in contrast, a spondyloarthropathy is a condition involving the vertebral joints, but many conditions involve both spondylopathy and spondyloarthropathy. spondylopathyspecialtyrheumatology examples include ankylosing spondylitis and spondylosis.