Symptoms

• The symptoms of degenerative disability disc disease depend on what facet joints and spinal discs are degenerating. If the cervical spinal discs and facet joints are affected, pain and stiffness may hit the neck and shoulders. If the thoracic spinal discs and facet joints are affected, pain and stiffness may be experienced in the mid-back area and ribs. If the lumbar spinal discs and facet joints are affected, pain and stiffness may be felt in the lower back, hips and legs. Some people will experience affected discs in more than one region of the spine.
  
  

Causes

• The main cause of degenerative disability disc disease is age. As people age, so do their spinal discs and facet joints. As the spinal discs age, the gel-like substance in them begins to dry up and inflammation can set in. Some people experience this condition as a result of a trauma, such as an automobile accident, that speeds up the process of degenerative disability disc disease.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Diagnosing degenerative disability disc disease can get tricky. First, a doctor will perform a complete physical exam to assess the overall health of the patient. If pain and stiffness is present, the doctor will often order traditional X-rays to check for any fractures. If no fractures are found, the patient will have to undergo a more sophisticated X-ray, a magnetic resonance imaging test, or MRI. An MRI is capable of seeing spinal disc and facet joint issues such as herniated discs and wear and tear.
  
  

Treatment

• Degenerative disability disc disease is generally treated with medication, ice, heat and physical therapy. Physical therapy is typically used to help maintain range of motion and to reduce stiffness. Medications such as corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to minimize inflammation and pain. In cases where severe pain is present, prescription pain medication may be prescribed, but this is not common.
  
  

Prognosis

• Degenerative disability disc disease is not curable, but the majority of patients undergoing treatment are able to live relatively normal lives. This condition rarely results in serious complications such as paralysis, and though it does get worse over time, the progression of this disease tends to be quite slow.