You may have had an MRI that reported “degenerative disc disease” without any further explanation by your radiologist.

“In spite of its name, degenerative disc disease is not actually a disease. It refers to the natural process by which the intervertebral discs of the spine change over time.” – Rush University Medical Center

These changes are caused by age-related dehydration, narrowing and bulging of the discs.

Here’s what the most frequent Google searches reveal people are worried about:

“Is degenerative disc disease hereditary / genetic / inherited?”

The short answer is: it’s similar to getting gray hair. Some people get grays earlier, some later. Gray hair, and degenerative changes in your skeleton (including spine) are not diseases.

“Is degenerative disc disease common?”

Very common! You’re in good company with many people (71% in men and 77% in women aged <50 years). Most people you see walking around have diagnosed or undiagnosed degrees of DDD.

“Is degenerative disc disease serious?”

The normal wear and tear process in your spine is not serious. If the narrowed and bulging discs begin to irritate and compress nerves in your spine, then you may get: radiating pain into the arms or legs, weakness, numbness or muscle wasting. If this is the case, consult with your local chiropractor or physical therapist. Even then, the majority of cases resolve by themselves over time.

“Is degenerative disc disease curable?”

In the same way that normal wear and tear in the body can’t be ‘cured’, you can’t fully reverse wear and tear in the spine. But more often than not, you can cure or manage the pain that goes with DDD. Some self-management options are:

  • minimizing pain (anti-inflammatories, acetaminophen / paracetamol)
  • stabilizing the spine (core and general exercise, pilates)
  • improving or maintaining mobility (stretch classes, yoga)

“This condition usually does not result in long-term disability, and most cases can be managed using non-surgical treatment methods.” – Brian McHugh, MD, spine-health.com

Don’t worry, be responsible

In general, DDD is not a condition to be worried about. The pain can be managed. Treatment options exist. Call us today to discuss further 586-725-3100.