Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is the progressive deterioration of the intervertebral discs throughout the spine that can occur as we age. Injury, daily wear and tear, and genetics can also contribute to this condition.1 Lumbar disc degeneration consists of the breakdown of a lumbar disc. When a disc degenerates, it decreases the space between the vertebrae and narrows the tunnel through which a nerve to the leg exits. This can result in leg pain, numbness and/or weakness.

Click to view brochure

A more in depth look at Degenerative Disc Disease including possible risk factors and common symptoms.

How to prepare for surgery Recovery
References:
  1. Choi YS. Pathophysiology of degenerative disc disease. Asian Spine J 2009;3:39-44. ​
  2. Teraguchi M, Yoshimura N, Hashizume H, et al. Prevalence and distribution of intervertebral disc degeneration over the entire spine in a population-based cohort: the Wakayama Spine Study. Osteoarthr Cartil. 2014;22(1):104-10.
Important information

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT SPINE SURGERY

Some of the images on this website depict Stryker’s products. Please speak to your doctor if you have questions about these products or anything else in this website.

The information presented is for educational purposes only. Stryker is not dispensing medical advice. Please speak to your doctor to decide if spinal surgery is right for you. Only your doctor can make the medical judgment regarding which products and treatments are right for your own individual condition.

As with any surgery, spinal surgery carries certain risks. Your surgeon will explain all the possible complications of the surgery, as well as side effects. Each spinal surgery patient will experience a different post-operative activity level, depending on his/her own individual clinical factors. Your doctor will help counsel about how to best maintain your activities in order to recover properly from your surgery. Such activities include not engaging in high-impact activities that could de-stabilize any instrumentation that may have been implanted.

Stryker Corporation or its divisions or other corporate affiliated entities own, use or have applied for the following trademarks or service marks: Stryker. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners or holders.

Ask your doctor if spine surgery is right for you.

GEN-WB-24-32016

Please upgrade your internet browser.

Our website was designed for a range of browsers. However, if you would like to use many of our latest and greatest features, please upgrade to a modern, fully supported browser.

Find the latest versions of modern supported browsers »

Note: If you are browsing in Internet Explorer 9 or later, and you are still seeing this message, you may be in Compatability Mode. Look for the Compability View icon in your Address bar, or the Compatability View and Compatability View settings from the Tools Menu in your Internet Explorer toolbar (hit the ALT key if your menu bar is hidden). If you are on an Intranet, you may need to contact your IT Support about Compatability View settings and whitelists.