Conditions of the Spine

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common, age-related condition in which the intervertebral discs—the soft, cushion-like structures between the bones (vertebrae) of the spine—gradually wear down, lose fluid and height, and become less flexible. This can lead to back or neck pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, though not everyone with disc degeneration experiences symptoms.

Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spaces within the spine narrow, putting pressure on the spinal cord and/or the nerves that travel through it. This most often occurs in the lower back (lumbar) or neck (cervical) and is commonly related to age-related wear and tear, arthritis, or disc degeneration.

Spinal instability refers to excessive or abnormal movement between vertebrae, where the spine can no longer adequately maintain its normal alignment and relationships under normal loads. This can lead to pain, deformity, or nerve irritation.

A common example is spondylolisthesis (often called “listhesis”), in which one vertebra slips forward (or sometimes backward) relative to the vertebra below it.