Degenerative disc disease is the basis of all spine ailments. This condition is mostly connected with lower back and neck pain because these are the places where the spine has the widest range of movement.

Although DDD is a condition often seen on x-ray images, only a small number of patients experiences pain caused by this disorder.
As we age, so do our discs.

The first sign of disc aging is dehydration which can be seen on an MRI as so called “black disc”. This condition is not painful in most cases but if disc damage occurs, it is very likely that DDD will develop into a pain syndrome.

The disc is made up of thick adhesive layer in the shape of concentric rings whose main function is to centralize the soft part of the disc called nucleus pulposus in the central area.

If a tear or puncture of these connective layers occurs, the soft part of the disc protrudes sideways in a different degree which is called herniation in the final stage. However, in previous stages it causes chemically induced inflammatory reaction that results in pain syndrome.

Disc degeneration is a common condition among older population but it can also affect younger people. It is not completely clear why it occurs but there are very distinct congenital connections.

Apart from heritage, physical burdening of the disc also plays a substantial part as it occurs when a body bends, lifts weight and makes sudden rotational movements.

When a degeneratively changed disk gets damaged in this manner, an acute pain syndrome develops and, if not treated, turns into chronically painful condition. The pain mostly spreads to lower back area, hips, and thighs and can extend to legs and arms.

It cannot be precisely determined which range of movements induces disc damage and the pattern of manifestation of pain syndrome is entirely individual.

Diagnosing this condition begins with a clinical examination and complete neuroradiological work-up that includes RTG and MRI of the spine.
The damaged disc shows up on an MRI scan as black disc, but not all black discs hurt. Due to this fact, making a proper diagnosis requires a lot of effort by both doctor and patient.



Discography, one of invasive diagnostic methods, plays a vital role in diagnosing DDD. After making the diagnosis, treatment of these ailments begins in most cases conservatively, i.e. not surgically.

Individually tailored and carried out physical therapy aimed at selective strengthening of certain part of paravertebral musculature leads to relieving discomfort in most patients.

Physical therapy is combined with ESI infiltration, methods of neurostimulating facet joints as well as RF rizothomy. If physical therapy does not lead to improvement and pain syndrome relief, the patient is a potential candidate for surgical treatment.

Some minimally invasive methods as interspinal spacer and TLIF aim to stabilize painfully damaged disc and enable self-healing which should result in pain reduction. It is very important to consult your doctor and discuss which method would be most suited for treating your degeneratively changed disc.