Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is not a disease – it is normal aging of the spinal discs that separate interlocking spine bones (vertebrae). The gel discs can breakdown, bulge or break open, cartilage that protects the joint can breakdown, and there can be a narrowing of the spinal canal. Any of those items can put pressure on the spinal nerves or spinal cord, affecting nerve function and causing pain.