Degenerative disc disease: Causes and treatment
disc degeneration causes :: Article Creator What Is Degenerative Disc Disease? In degenerative disc disease (DDD), the discs that separate your spine's bones, or vertebrae, start to breakdown, or degenerate. The discs provide cushion between the vertebrae, absorb shock, and allow your spine to bend. When they start to break down, you can experience back pain along with other symptoms. DDD can occur in any area of the spine, but the condition is most common in the cervical (top) and lumbar (bottom) sections. Your symptoms may vary based on where the breakdown is occurring on your spine. Depending on the severity of symptoms, DDD can cause disability and significantly impact your daily life. However, a variety of treatment methods have been shown to improve symptoms. The most common symptom associated with DDD is pain. This pain can come and go, or it can be long-lasting, or chronic. You might feel pain in your back or neck, especi...