Riassunto

• A multi-factorial clinical condition characterised by low back pain with or without the concurrence of radicular lower limb symptoms in the presence of radiologically confirmed degenerative disc disease.
• Degenerative disc disease leads to abnormal loading patterns of the motion segment. Progression of disc degeneration may lead to additional painful manifestations, including loss of disc height and facet joint arthrosis, disc herniation and nerve root irritation, and hypertrophic changes resulting in spinal stenosis.
• MRI is the imaging study of choice for degenerative disc disease due to its unique detail on the representation of the disc status. Other tests may include plain radiographs, CT scanning, or provocative discography.
• Nonsurgical treatments include lifestyle measures, followed by the judicious use of medications, physiotherapy, and therapeutic needling procedures.
• Surgical treatment includes decompression of neural structures and, in selected patients, a fusion of the motion segment.