Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease, despite its name, isn’t actually a disease. It is a general phrase which describes the alterations of the intervertebral discs that normally occur as we get older. The vertebral discs outer board is hard and tough while the center is soft. With time, these vertebral discs become less flexible and don’t cushion the forces of the adjacent vertebral bones normally and effectively as they should. Over time, the spinal disc cracks and the soft area from the central part protrudes through the cracks or herniates. These herniated discs irritate the proximal nerves, resulting in pain, weakness, and numbness in limbs.