Degenerative Disk Disease

Degenerative Disk Disease causes and symptoms

As we age, the water content of the disk decreases. This is often noted on MRI scans but fortunately has very little clinical significance or symptoms.  However, in severe cases, it may lead to increasing pain in the neck or back. Additionally, as the disk space narrows, the space where the nerves exit becomes smaller and bone spurs can form, leading to additional pain or neurological symptoms in the arms or legs similar to disk herniations or spinal stenosis.