Important Safety Information (Physician)Degenerative Disc Disease
Although it's a normal part of the aging process, disc degeneration can cause painful symptoms. Fortunately, there are minimally invasive options that diagnose the source of pain, and others that provide relief and keep you active.
Disc degeneration is part of the natural process of growing older. Unfortunately, as we age, our intervertebral discs lose some of their flexibility, elasticity, and shock absorbing characteristics. The outer fibers that surround the disc, called the annulus fibrosis, become weak and are more easily torn. At the same time, the soft gel-like center of the disc, called the nucleus pulposus, starts to dry out and shrink. The combination of damage to the intervertebral discs, the development of bone spurs and the gradual thickening of the ligaments that support the spine can all contribute to degeneration of the lumbar spine.
To a certain degree, this process happens to everyone. However, not everyone who has degenerative changes in their lumbar spine has pain. Many people who have pain free or asymptomatic backs have MRIs that show disc herniations, degenerative changes, and narrowed spinal canals, while others with "normal' MRIs can experience back pain. Every patient is different, and it is important to realize that not everyone develops symptoms as a result of degenerative disc disease.
Symptoms
When degenerative disc disease becomes painful or symptomatic, it can cause several different symptoms. Depending on where your degenerative disc is located, and the extent of degeneration, it can cause:
- Back pain
- Radiating leg pain
- Buttock pain
These symptoms are caused by the fact that degenerated discs are a source of pain because they do not function as well as they once did, and as they shrink, annular tears are more likely to occur, and the space available for the nerve roots can shrink. As the discs between the vertebral bodies start to wear out, the entire lumbar spine becomes less flexible. The result can be back pain and stiffness, especially towards the end of the day.
The most common symptom of degenerative disc disease is back pain. When DDD causes annular tears, pain often settles in the low back and buttock (Discogenic Low Back Pain). When DDD causes compression of the nerve roots, the pain often radiates down the legs or into the feet.
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.