The disc is a shock absorber that is found in the spine both in the neck, mid back and lower back. These discs have a tough outer core and soft insides. As these discs lose their hydration they become more prone to injury.
Disc injuries are either contained or ruptured.A contained disc is often called a bulged disc and may cause pressure on the spinal nerves creating various symptoms.. A non contained or ruptured disc usually can irritate the spinal nerves with fluid that is exposed to the nerve. In fact the outer shell or a fragment can break off and cause tremendous pain and irritation.
degenerative disc disease is part of the natural process of growing older. As we age, our intervertebral discs can lose their flexibility, elasticity, and shock-absorbing characteristics. For others, degenerative disc disease can stem from an injury to the back.
Degenerative disc disease may cause back and/or leg pain due to nerve compression as the space is reduced between the intervertebral segments especially L5-S1 which can show symptoms such as tingling or numbness in your legs or buttocks, or difficulty walking.