Spinal Disc Disease

Spinal disc disease is the degeneration of intervertebral discs that results in symptoms. Spinal discs undergo a natural process of degeneration as a part of aging. Imaging studies such as MRI show discs that lose height, bulge, lose water content, and cause spurs and other changes in the bones around them. Often multiple discs show signs of degeneration. Such changes do not always result in symptoms, but when symptoms do occur, the degeneration may be called a disease. The most common symptom of degenerative disc disease is pain and stiffness in the general area of the problematic disc, but symptoms from nerve compression (such as arm or leg pain, tingling or weakness) can occur. Treatment options for spinal or degenerative disc disease may include smoking cessation, weight loss, physical therapy, pain management or surgery.