Disc Degeneration

Reading about disc degeneration, one is led to believe that it is an abnormal disease process, however, it is more accurately part of the natural aging process of the spine. I like to think of disc degeneration in the same light as degeneration of other parts of the body. For example, some are destined to have arthritis at an earlier age than others based on their family history. Our spines are no different, with some inheriting healthy discs that are likely to last many years, while others inherit discs that begin to show signs of aging in the prime of life.

As discs begin to degenerate, they begin to "dry out". This means that the water content decreases with a subsequent loss of disc height. Eventually the vertebra come closer together, and they lose some of the normal motion of the spine. In most people, this is not a painful process, nor is it any more dangerous than other aging processes such as acquiring wrinkles or gray hair. However, in other people the degenerative process is accompanied by problems of instability and pain.

For example, in some people the narrowing of the disc space itself is accompanied by a narrowing of the neural foramina. In these foramina reside the exiting nerve roots, and if these roots become compressed, they begin to have symptoms such as radiculopathy and claudication.