Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition often misunderstood, as it’s not a disease per se but a term describing the normal changes in the spinal discs with aging. These changes can lead to back pain, neck pain, or other complications. The condition is characterized by a loss of fluid in the discs and tiny tears or cracks in the outer layer. As people age, these age-related changes can result in disc degeneration, potentially leading to various conditions such as spinal stenosis, degenerative scoliosis, and cervical spondylosis.
Anterolisthesis, a condition where one vertebra slips forward over the one below it, can occur at multiple levels, such as C3 on C4 and C4 on C5. Despite these changes, vertebral body heights are often maintained. Multilevel degenerative changes are also observed, which may include disc space loss, uncovertebral joint degeneration, and facet arthropathy, with notable prominence at C6-C7.
Another condition related to spinal degeneration is degenerative scoliosis. This is a sideways curvature of the spine measuring 10 degrees or more, developing in adults due to spinal degeneration or osteoarthritis, also known as spondylosis. Degenerative scoliosis and other conditions resulting from spondylosis like spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal, and degenerative disc disease, can significantly impact a person’s quality of life.
Symptoms of degenerative disc disease can include neck or back pain, flare-ups (especially lower back pain), pain exacerbated by bending, lifting, or twisting, and pain worsened by sitting (in the case of lumbar degenerative disc disease). Chronic pain, particularly in the lower back or neck, and radiating pain are also common. Diagnostic features may include narrowing of the disc space, bulging of the disc contour, calcification of the disc and vertebral margins resulting in spurs, disc herniation, and cervical spondylosis.
It’s a common misconception that the symptoms of degenerative disc disease will worsen over time. In reality, it’s the discs that deteriorate with age. For those seeking help for degenerative disc disease, it’s important to understand the nature of the condition and the available treatment options.
For more information on degenerative disc disease and its treatment, visit Painful Degenerative Cervical Spine, Degenerative Disc Disease at UK Healthcare, Spondylosis Overview, Degenerative Disc Disease at UConn Health, Degenerative Disc Disease at UTHealth Neurosciences, Degenerative Disc Disease at Rush, and Cervical Radiculopathy Nonoperative Treatments for comprehensive insights and guidance.
