Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common causes of low back pain and neck pain, and also one of the most misunderstood.

Simply put, degenerative disc disease describes the symptoms of pain and possibly radiating weakness or numbness stemming from a degenerated disc in the spine. While the definition sounds simple, many patients diagnosed with degenerative disc disease are left wondering exactly what this diagnosis means for them.

Common questions often include:

• If I have this much pain in my thirties, how much worse will it become with age?
• Will the disease become a crippling condition? Will I end up in a wheelchair?
• Should I restrict my activities? Can I still play sports?
• Will the disease spread to other parts of the spine?
• Will the degenerated disc(s) cause any permanent damage?
• Is surgery inevitable?