Gets ready for right spine operation (6)

I believe the answer is:

ripens

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'gets' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to change as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'ready for right spine operation' is the wordplay.
'ready' becomes 'ripe' (similar in meaning).
'for' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'right spine operation' becomes 'ns' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'ripe'+'ns'='RIPENS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for ripens that I've seen is " Matures".)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.

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