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As we age, the water and protein content of the cartilage of the body changes. This change results in weaker, more fragile and thin cartilage. Because both the discs and the joints that stack the vertebrae (facet joints) are partly composed of cartilage, these areas are subject to wear and tear over time (degenerative changes). The gradual deterioration of the disc between the vertebrae is referred to as degenerative disc disease. Wear of the facet cartilage and the bony changes of the adjacent joint is referred to as degenerative facet joint disease or osteoarthritis of the spine.

Degeneration of the disc is medically referred to as spondylosis. Spondylosis can be noted on x-ray tests or MRI scanning of the spine as a narrowing of the normal “disc space” between the adjacent vertebrae.

Degeneration of the disc tissue makes the disc more susceptible to herniation. Degeneration of the disc can cause local pain in the affected area. Any level of the spine can be affected by disc degeneration. When disc degeneration affects the spine of the neck, it is referred to as cervical disc disease. When the mid-back is affected, the condition is referred to as thoracic disc disease. Disc degeneration that affects the lumbar spine is referred to as lumbago. Lumbago causes pain localized to the low back and is common in older people. Degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) of the facet joints is also a cause of localized lumbar pain that can be detected with plain x-ray testing. The pain from degenerative disc or joint disease of the spine is usually treated conservatively with intermittent heat, rest, rehabilitative exercises, and medications to relieve pain, muscle spasm, and inflammation.

In addition to having the low-grade pain of a stiff or inflexible neck, many patients with cervical disc degeneration have numbness, tingling, or even weakness in the neck, arms, or shoulders as a result of nerves in the cervical area becoming irritated or pinched.

For example, a pinched nerve root in the C6-C7 segment could result in weakness in the triceps and forearms, wrist drop and altered sensation in the middle fingers or fingertips.

Cervical disc degeneration can also contribute to spinal stenosis (more specifically, the development of cervical stenosis) and other progressive conditions, as well as a more sudden disc herniation.

The most common symptom of a cervical disc herniation is neck pain that radiates (spreads) down to the arm in various locations. The specific location of the arm pain depends on which disc is involved. There can also be associated paresthesias (pins and needles) and in some cases weakness of some of the arm muscles. Patients find that turning their head away from the painful side helps. Extending the head makes the pain worse so that looking up is avoided. Bending the head down usually gives some relief. Most of the symptoms of a disc herniation are related to pressure on a specific nerve root. Rarely, large disc herniations can cause pressure on the spinal cord. Pressure on the spinal cord can result in a problem called cervical myelopathy. It can cause among other things spasticity which can present as problems walking.