Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is what happens when the cushions (discs) between your spine bones start to wear out over time. Those discs normally act like shock absorbers, soft, flexible, and keeping space between each vertebra.

As they age (or after an injury, repetitive stress, or sometimes just genetics), they can:

·  Dry out (less spongy, less able to absorb shock)

·  Thin out (losing height so the bones sit closer together)

·  Crack or weaken, which can irritate nearby nerves

When this happens, you might feel:

·  A constant, dull ache in your back or neck

·  Stiffness, especially when you first wake up or after sitting too long

·  Pain that radiates into your arms or legs if a nerve gets pinched

·  Sometimes flare-ups that come and go instead of one steady pain

How doctors figure it out:

·  A physical exam to check movement and nerve function

·  X-rays or MRI to see if discs are thinner, dried out, or pressing on nerves

Treatment is usually conservative first:

·  Physical therapy to strengthen and support the spine

·  Anti-inflammatory medications for pain

·  Lifestyle changes, posture improvement, core strengthening, weight management

·  Injections if pain persists

·  In more severe cases, surgeries like spinal fusion or disc replacement may be considered