What Is Degenerative Disk Disease?

When the spinal rubbery cushions wear away, the bones can start to rub together. This contact can cause pain and other problems, like:

• Adult scoliosis, cervical spine curvature

• Adult kyphosis, thoracic spine curvature

•  Adult lordosis, lumbar spine curvature

• Herniated disc, crack in the tough outer layer of cartilage allows some of the softer inner cartilage to stick out of the disk. Herniated disks also are called ruptured disks or slipped disks.

• Bulging disc, outer shell of the disc weakens, allowing it to extend outward beyond its normal boundary.

• Spinal stenosis, when the space in your spinal canal narrows

• Spondylolisthesis, when vertebrae move in and out of place