Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease - often referred to as mechanical back pain - is one of the more common causes of low back pain or neck pain. While degeneration of the discs is a completely normal part of aging and typically does not cause any symptoms, for some it can cause pain and other symptoms.
Between each vertebra (bone) in the spine is a spongy, compressible disc that acts as a shock absorber and provides flexibility along the spine. With degenerative disc disease, the discs lose some of their elasticity and height. This reduces the ability of the discs to act as shock absorbers and makes them less flexible. Degenerative disc disease can take place throughout the spine, but it most often occurs in the discs that have the most motion in the lower back and the neck.
Disc degeneration can occur along with or lead to other spinal conditions that are fairly common for people over age 50:
- Osteoarthritis - Osteoarthritis refers to a breakdown in the cartilage of the posterior facet joints. This decreases the mobility of the joint and can cause pain because of increased friction within the joint.
- Spinal stenosis - This condition occurs if bone spurs (osteophytes) pinch the nerve roots along the spine or impinge on the spinal cord in the neck.
These conditions may put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, leading to pain and possibly affecting nerve function.
The low back pain associated with lumbar degenerative disc disease is usually generated from one or both of two sources: inflammation in the disc space (which irritates the nerves), and some level of abnormal instability.
Despite having the word degenerative in the name, the symptoms do not necessarily get worse with age. Often times, the pain actually decreases and becomes more manageable. By age 60, almost everyone has some level of disc degeneration, which may or may not cause pain.
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