Degenerative Disc Disease (Lumbar Spondylosis)

Degenerative disc disease means the discs in your lower back have worn with age, much like grey hair or wrinkles. Almost everyone has some by their 40s, and most people never get symptoms from it. When it does cause pain, exercise and physiotherapy help most people, and surgery is rarely needed.

Reviewed by Dr. Kshitij Chaudhary — Last reviewed September 2026

What Is Degenerative Disc Disease?

Despite the name, it isn't really a disease. It is the normal wear of the discs that cushion the bones of your spine. Doctors also call it lumbar spondylosis, disc degeneration or age-related wear and tear.

Over the years, the discs lose water and get thinner. This puts more load on the small joints at the back of the spine. These joints can become arthritic and grow bone spurs. The disc may also bulge.

Why Does It Happen?

Age is the main reason. Your genes play a big part too, which is why it runs in some families. Smoking, extra body weight, past injuries and heavy physical work can speed it up.

Who Gets It?

Almost everyone, to some degree. Most adults over 40 show some disc wear on an MRI. The two lowest discs, L4–L5 and L5–S1, are affected most often.

How Serious Is It?

Usually not serious at all. Many people with worn discs on their MRI have no back pain.

MRI reports often use words like "degeneration", "desiccation", "disc bulge" or "osteophytes". These sound alarming, but they describe normal ageing. They matter only if they match your symptoms.

What Symptoms Can It Cause?

Many people have none. When symptoms do appear, they can include:

• Lower back pain that comes and goes, often in flare-ups
• Pain that is worse after sitting for a long time, bending or lifting
• Stiffness, especially in the morning
• Pain that eases when you walk or change position

If the wear narrows the space around a nerve, you may also get leg pain, numbness or weakness. See Lumbar Disc Herniation & Sciatica and Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

How Is It Diagnosed?

• Examination: Your doctor asks about your pain and checks your back, legs and nerves
• X-rays: These show disc height, bone spurs and alignment
• MRI: Usually needed only if you have leg symptoms, or if your pain isn't settling with treatment

Disc wear on a scan is common at almost any age after 30. On its own, it doesn't explain your pain.

Will It Get Worse?

The wear slowly continues with age, but your pain often doesn't follow the scan. Flare-ups come and go. For many people, back pain actually eases in later years as the spine stiffens and settles.

How Is It Treated Without Surgery?

Most people never need surgery. Treatment usually includes:

• Staying active: Keep moving during a flare-up. Long bed rest slows recovery
• Exercise and physiotherapy: Strengthening your core and back muscles is the most useful long-term treatment
• Medicines: Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory tablets help during flare-ups. Do not use anti-inflammatory tablets for more than about 10 days in a row without asking your doctor
• Heat: A warm pack can ease stiffness
• Weight control: A healthy weight takes load off your spine
• Injections: Occasionally used for pain that doesn't settle

When Is Surgery Needed?

Very rarely. Surgery for back pain alone is offered only in very carefully selected cases.

Sometimes the wear presses on a nerve and causes leg pain, numbness or weakness. That is treated as a separate problem. See Lumbar Disc Herniation & Sciatica and Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

If you have been advised surgery and aren't sure, you can send your MRI for a second opinion before deciding.

What Does Surgery Involve?

When surgery is needed for back pain, it is usually a fusion. Your surgeon joins the painful level so the two vertebrae heal into one, held by screws and rods. This stops the painful movement at that level.

Can I Prevent It?

You can't stop ageing, but you can slow the wear and keep your back strong:

• Stay active and exercise regularly
• Keep your core and back muscles strong
• Don't smoke
• Keep a healthy weight
• Lift with your legs, not your back

What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor?

• Is my pain coming from the disc wear, or something else?
• Are any nerves under pressure?
• What exercises should I do?
• How can I manage flare-ups?
• Is there anything I should avoid at work or at home?

Treatments We Offer for This

• Non-surgical care
• Physiotherapy

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About Dr. Kshitij Chaudhary

This page was written by Dr. Kshitij Chaudhary, a fellowship-trained spine surgeon at P.D. Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai, trained in complex spine surgery at Harvard Medical School (Beth Israel Deaconess) and the Twin Cities Spine Center, Minneapolis. 🏃🏾About Dr. Chaudhary

This information is for general education and does not replace a consultation with your doctor.