Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) can be painful, but it is not quite as dire as it sounds. Technically, it is not a disease, but a condition, and the term degenerative applies to the disc, not necessarily the symptoms. In many cases, people with DDD actually improve over time.

DDD occurs when the outer layer of a disc becomes structurally unsound, usually with small cracks and tears. These tears in the disc can cause nerve inflammation or irritation, making it uncomfortable to sit for long periods of time. Over time, this can cause instability and misalignment of the spine.