Degenerative Disk Disease (DDD) occurs in many people during the normal aging process. It is also referred to as “arthritis of the back. During the aging process, our discs work as “shock absorbents.” These shock absorbers are located between the vertebral bodies start losing their elasticity. Therefore, the vertebral body may collapse down onto another. The collapsed body may compress nerve roots or the spinal cord. Thus, causing back pain and/or leg pain. Almost everyone’s disks will break down over time. However, not everyone feels pain. So, if the reason you are in pain is from worn-out spinal discs, you have degenerative disc disease.

Exact symptoms depend on where the disk has become weakened and what changes have been down. However, common signs of pain are as follows:

• Aching lower back pain
• Back stiffness

Radiating pain descending into the legs. The pain usually worsened with activity or prolonged sitting or standing. Normal changes in discs. Trauma (injury). Repetitive lifting. Smoking, obesity, and hereditary factors also lead to advanced degeneration.