Degenerative disc disease

Degeneration of one or more intervertebral disc(s) of the spine, often called "degenerative disc disease" (DDD) or "degenerative disc disorder," is a pathologic process of uncertain etiology that may cause acute or chronic low back or neck pain. The typical radiographic findings in DDD are disc space narrowing, vacuum disc, end plate sclerosis, and osteophyte formation. DDD can greatly affect the sufferer's quality of life. Disc degeneration is a disease of aging, and though for most people is not a problem, in certain individuals a degenerated disc can cause severe chronic pain if left untreated.