Degenerative Disc Disease

What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) refers to age-related changes in the spinal discs that can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Spinal discs act as cushions between the vertebrae, absorbing shock and allowing movement. Over time, discs gradually lose hydration, elasticity, and structural integrity.

As discs thin or weaken, surrounding spinal structures such as facet joints, ligaments, and nerves may become stressed or irritated, which can contribute to pain and functional limitation.

Despite the name, degenerative disc disease is not truly a disease but a natural process that may or may not cause symptoms.

Where Degenerative Disc Disease Occurs

DDD can develop anywhere along the spine but most commonly affects:

• The cervical spine (neck)

• The lumbar spine (lower back)

These regions experience the greatest motion and mechanical stress, making them more susceptible to disc wear over time.

Causes and Contributing Factors

Disc degeneration is influenced by a combination of biological and mechanical factors, including:

• Natural aging and disc dehydration

• Repetitive stress and physical workload

• Prior spinal injury

• Genetic predisposition

• Smoking and reduced disc nutrition

• Poor posture and prolonged sitting

• Obesity and mechanical loading

Many patients develop degeneration without symptoms, while others experience inflammation and instability that leads to pain.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the severity and location of disc changes. Common complaints include:

• Persistent aching or deep back or neck pain

• Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, or lifting

• Intermittent flare-ups of increased pain

• Stiffness and reduced flexibility

• Pain radiating into the arms or legs if nerves are irritated

• Muscle guarding or spasms

Pain may improve with position changes or activity modification and often fluctuates over time.

When Degenerative Disc Disease Becomes Symptomatic

Disc degeneration becomes clinically significant when inflammation, instability, disc bulging, or nerve irritation occurs. In some patients, disc height loss increases stress on facet joints, contributing to secondary arthritis and chronic pain patterns.

Episodes of acute flare-ups may occur even when imaging changes appear stable.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis typically involves clinical evaluation combined with imaging studies. MRI is the most useful test for identifying disc dehydration, height loss, bulging, or associated nerve compression.

Imaging findings must be interpreted alongside symptoms, as many individuals show degenerative changes without pain.

Diagnostic injections may help determine whether pain originates from discs, facet joints, or nerve irritation.

Treatment Options

Treatment focuses on reducing inflammation, improving spinal stability, and restoring function. Options may include:

• Physical therapy and core strengthening

• Activity modification and ergonomic adjustments

• Anti-inflammatory or nerve-targeted medications

• Image-guided spinal injections

• Epidural steroid injections for nerve irritation

• Medial branch blocks and radiofrequency ablation for facet-related pain

• Regenerative or minimally invasive therapies in select cases

Most patients improve with conservative and interventional treatments without requiring surgery.

Prevention and Spine Health

Although disc aging cannot be completely prevented, symptom progression can often be minimized through:

• Regular strengthening and mobility exercise

• Maintaining healthy body weight

• Avoiding tobacco use

• Proper lifting mechanics

• Ergonomic workplace adjustments

• Staying active rather than avoiding movement

Movement and spinal conditioning play a key role in long-term symptom control.

How Resolution Spine & Joint Can Help

At Resolution Spine & Joint, we focus on identifying whether degenerative disc changes are truly responsible for symptoms and tailoring treatment accordingly. Our approach emphasizes precise diagnosis, minimally invasive treatment options, and strategies to restore mobility while reducing inflammation.

By addressing both disc-related and secondary pain generators, we help patients improve comfort and maintain an active lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is degenerative disc disease permanent?
Disc aging is permanent, but symptoms can often be well controlled with appropriate treatment and lifestyle strategies.

Does everyone with disc degeneration have pain?
No. Many people have imaging evidence of degeneration without symptoms.

Can degenerative disc disease cause nerve pain?
Yes. Disc bulging, inflammation, or height loss can contribute to nerve irritation and radiating symptoms.

When are injections helpful?
Injections may be recommended when inflammation or nerve involvement is present and conservative care has not provided sufficient relief.

References

North American Spine Society
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke