Degenerative Disc Disease
“Degenerative disc disease” sounds more alarming than it often is.
Spinal discs naturally change with age. They may lose hydration and height, become less flexible, and develop alongside changes in the surrounding joints and bone.
For some people these changes cause very little trouble. For others they can contribute to persistent back or neck pain, stiffness, reduced movement or irritation of nearby nerves.
The important question is not simply whether degeneration appears on a scan.
It is whether those changes are actually contributing to your symptoms.
What Does Disc Degeneration Actually Mean?
Healthy spinal discs contain a high proportion of water and help distribute load between the vertebrae.
Over time, discs can become less hydrated and may gradually lose height.
As this happens, the mechanics of that part of the spine can change. The joints behind the disc may carry more load, the openings through which nerves travel can become smaller, and other degenerative changes may develop.
Imaging reports may describe findings such as:
disc desiccation
reduced disc height
degenerative disc disease
osteoarthritis
osteophytes
facet joint degeneration
foraminal narrowing
disc bulging
These findings become increasingly common as we get older and do not automatically mean they are the source of pain.
When Degenerative Changes Affect the Nerves
Loss of disc height and associated joint changes can sometimes reduce the space available around a spinal nerve.
In the lower back this may contribute to:
sciatica
buttock or leg pain
tingling or numbness
reduced walking or standing tolerance
In the neck, similar changes may contribute to:
shoulder or arm pain
aching or burning nerve symptoms
tingling or numbness into the hand
weakness where a nerve is significantly affected
This is why we look beyond the words “degeneration” or “wear and tear” and assess exactly where the changes are occurring and whether they match the symptoms.
Can Degenerative Disc Problems Be Treated?
We cannot reverse normal ageing or return an older disc to the appearance it had decades earlier.
That is not the objective.
Where the clinical findings suggest that mechanical loading, disc height loss or narrowing around a nerve is contributing to symptoms, conservative treatment may be considered.
For selected patients this may include spinal decompression, specific chiropractic or manual care, or a combination of approaches.
The aim is to improve the mechanical environment around the affected area, reduce irritation where possible and improve function.
Response varies.
Some patients notice meaningful improvement despite substantial degenerative findings on imaging. Others gain limited benefit.
That is why treatment should be based on clinical response rather than promises made from an MRI report.
When Further Assessment May Be Needed
Degenerative findings can exist alongside other spinal problems.
Progressive weakness, significant neurological loss, severe spinal stenosis or symptoms suggesting a more serious condition may require further imaging or specialist assessment.
Where we believe conservative care is unlikely to be appropriate, we will recommend the next step rather than simply continuing treatment.
Start With an Initial Disc Assessment
Your first visit is a dedicated 30-minute assessment with Dr David Kay.
We review your symptoms, neurological findings, spinal mechanics and relevant imaging to determine:
whether the degenerative changes are likely contributing to your symptoms
whether a spinal nerve appears to be involved
whether decompression may be appropriate
whether other conservative treatment may be useful
or whether further investigation or referral is required
Initial Disc Assessment — $130
Treatment is not included in the initial assessment.