Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is not actually a "disease" in the traditional sense. Rather, it is a natural, age-related process in which the intervertebral discs—the shock absorbers between your vertebrae—gradually lose their structure and function.

To understand DDD, think of a healthy disc as a water-filled sponge. When you are young, the disc is plump, hydrated, and resilient. As you age, the sponge slowly dries out (a process called desiccation), loses height, and becomes less effective at absorbing shock.

This process is universal—everyone's discs degenerate to some degree. However, not everyone experiences pain. DDD becomes a clinical issue when the structural changes lead to instability, inflammation, or nerve irritation.