Degenerative disc disease refers to the breakdown and malfunction of one or more intervertebral discs. “Discs” are the spacers and shock absorbers between the spinal bones.
Discs are naturally about 75% water. With physical exertion, gravity, injuries and chronic postural stress the discs begin to lose their water content and become dehydrated. When this occurs the disc begins to shrink or contract. Rather than their usual “rubbery” consistency, they become dried out and leathery.
Under pressure of your body and gravity, the discs begin to thin. This allows the vertebrae (spinal bones) to crowd eachother causing pain in lower back. As the condition deteriorates, more pressure is built up around the spinal nerves passing between the spinal bones, which can cause back and leg pain otherwise known as sciatica. In time, the nerves become more irritated and begin to become damaged resulting in not only sciatica, but more seriously, muscle and reflex weakness.
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Diagnosing degenerative disc disease is straight forward. A thorough history, physical examination and plain film x-rays will detect this common cause of lower back pain.
Morning back pain and stiffness that improves after a hot shower or period of walking and/or stretching is a characteristic symptom of degenerative disc disease. Physical examination will usually show painful and reduced back mobility with tenderness over the affected joints. X-rays will show the characteristic signs of thinning disc space(s), and lipping or spurring on the vertebral bodies.
Degenerative disc disease is a slowly progressive condition that deteriorates over time. It begins as dehydration and then eventually leads to nerve damage.
