Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is the loss of the structural and functional integrity of the discs in the spine. They lose their flexibility and ability to cushion the spine. It can affect any part of the spine, although the most common sites are the lumbar (lower back) and cervical (neck) spine. DDD is visible on an x-ray as a narrowing of the disc space, sometimes accompanied bybone spur formation on the vertebrae. People under the age of 40 may already have changes to their discs with no symptoms. As the aging processes continues, the occurrence ofdegenerative disc disease increases.
