Hi,
Not actually a disease, degenerative
disc disease refers to a condition in which pain is caused by a disc that loses integrity.
Several factors can cause discs to degenerate, including age. Specific factors include:
The drying out of the disc. As we age, the disc dries out and doesn't absorb shocks as well
Daily activities and sports can cause tears in the outer core of the disc
Injuries can cause swelling, soreness and instability.
Unlike other tissues of the body, there is very little blood supply to the disc, so once a disc is injured, it cannot repair itself, and the discs can start to deteriorate.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. AJEET SINGH, General & Family Physician