Degenerative Disc Disease

If you have degenerative disc disease, get advanced treatments like minimally invasive fusion and disc replacement from Rush spine and back experts.

If you have degenerative disc disease, get advanced treatments like minimally invasive fusion and disc replacement from Rush spine and back experts.

In spite of its name, degenerative disc disease is not actually a disease. It refers to the natural process by which the intervertebral discs of the spine change over time.

As part of the normal aging process, our intervertebral discs — the cushions between the vertebrae (bones) that act as shock absorbers and enable complex motions like bending and twisting — begin to dry and shrink.

In some cases, these changes eventually lead to ruptured — or herniated — discs, instability in the spine, and/or narrowing of the spinal canal.

Degeneration can occur at any point in the spine but is most common in the lumbar spine (lower back) and cervical spine (neck).

How Can I Get Help for Degenerative Disc Disease?

These are common symptoms of degenerative disc disease:

  • Neck or back pain
    • Flare-ups , particularly lower back pain
    • Pain made worse by bending, lifting or twisting
    • Pain made worse by sitting (for lumbar degenerative disc disease)
    • Chronic pain, especially lower back pain or neck pain
  • Radiating pain
  • Weakness or numbness in your arms or legs

Often, back pain and other symptoms related to degenerative disc disease will go away with the following:

  • Rest
  • Restricting the activities that cause your pain
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen)

If the above does not help address your pain, Rush spine and back specialists can help.

Degenerative Disc Disease Treatment at Rush

Nonsurgical Treatments

Spine and back specialists at Rush first try nonsurgical methods to relieve symptoms:

  • Stretching or physical therapy
  • Anti-inflammatory medication (taken by mouth)
  • Spinal injections of medication (typically steroids or anesthetic drugs) directly into the source of pain

Surgical Options

Degenerative disc symptoms may not always respond to nonsurgical approaches. In that case, surgery may be needed.

Common surgeries for degenerative disc disease include the following:

  • Decompression: Removal of a displaced disc or overgrown bone to free pinched nerves
  • Fusion: Building a bone bridge to provide stability and prevent painful motion. Whenever possible, spine surgeons at Rush perform spinal fusions using minimally invasive approaches that help you heal faster and with less pain.
  • Deformity correction: Addresses abnormal curvatures
  • Placement of implants: This could include spacers, artificial discs and nerve stimulators

Your spine specialist will discuss your options and help determine the optimal procedure for you based on your general health, severity of symptoms and personal goals.

Degenerative Disc Disease Providers at Rush

Learn more about degenerative disc disease providers at Rush.

Meet our degenerative disc disease providers
stethoscope Meet our degenerative disc disease providers

Rush Excellence in Degenerative Disc Disease Care

  • Nationally recognized programs: Rush University Medical Center's neurology and neurosurgery and orthopedics programs are ranked among the nation's best by U.S. News & World Report.
  • A trusted source for second opinions: If you are diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, we encourage you to seek a second opinion — especially if surgery has been recommended to address your pain. Our experts will make sure you're aware of every available treatment option and are comfortable with the course of treatment.
  • Renowned spine surgeons: Rush spine surgeons offer and, in many cases, helped pioneer advanced spine surgery techniques. This includes minimally invasive approaches that help you leave the hospital sooner, heal faster and experience less post-surgery pain. Our expertise is one reason why more patients choose Rush for spine care than any other health system in Illinois.

Ask an Expert

Spine and back specialists are here to help.

Submit a question
Submit a question

Get a Second Opinion

A second opinion can confirm your diagnosis and point to new treatment options.

Get started
Get started

Clinical Trials

Researchers at Rush are investigating new spine and back treatments.

See open clinical trials
See open clinical trials
Testimonials

One of the ways minimally invasive surgery has really changed the surgical experience for patients is the shortened length of stay, shortened recovery and less pain after surgery.

John O'Toole, MD, MS, Neurosurgeon

Learn about minimally invasive spine surgery at Rush

Degenerative Disc Disease Locations

Select a location to see options

Chicago

Exterior view of Rubschlager Building

RUSH Neurosurgery

1520 W Harrison St
Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building - 6th Floor
Chicago, IL 60607

Get Directions

Hours:

Mon – Fri: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Sat – Sun: Closed
Make an Appointment View Location
Exterior view of Rubschlager Building

RUSH Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - Neurosurgery and Spine

1520 W Harrison St
Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building - 6th Floor
Chicago, IL 60607

Get Directions

Hours:

Mon – Tue: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Wed: Closed
Thu: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Fri – Sun: Closed
Make an Appointment View Location
Exterior of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush

Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH

1611 W Harrison St
Orthopedic Building
Chicago, IL 60612-4861

Appointment (877) 632-6637
Get Directions View Location

Aurora/Fox Valley

Rush Copley 2040 Physician Office Building

RUSH Copley Medical Group Neurosurgery

2040 Ogden Ave
Suite 300
Aurora, IL 60504

Get Directions

Office Hours:

Mon – Thu: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Fri: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sat – Sun: Closed
Make an Appointment View Location
Castle Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine - Aurora Ogden

Castle Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine - Aurora Ogden

2111 Ogden Ave
Aurora, IL 60504

Get Directions

Office Hours:

Mon – Fri: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sat – Sun: Closed
Make an Appointment View Location
Rush Copley Highland Office

Castle Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine - Aurora Highland

1320 N Highland Ave
Suite B
Aurora, IL 60506

Get Directions

Office Hours:

Mon – Fri: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sat – Sun: Closed
Make an Appointment View Location
Rush Copley Healthcare Center

Castle Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine - Yorkville

1100 W Veterans Pkwy
Suite 1
Yorkville, IL 60560

Get Directions

Office Hours:

Mon – Fri: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sat – Sun: Closed
Make an Appointment View Location

Northwest Indiana

Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH - Munster, Indiana

9200 Calumet Ave
Suite 300
Munster, IN 46321

Appointment (877) 632-6637
Get Directions View Location

Naperville

Midwest Orthopaedics at RUSH - Naperville

55 Shuman Blvd
Suite 700
Naperville, IL 60563

Appointment (877) 632-6637
Get Directions View Location

Oak Brook

Rush Oak Brook exterior

RUSH Oak Brook

2011 York Rd
Oak Brook, IL 60523

Get Directions

Hours:

Mon – Fri: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sat: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm (Every first and third Saturday; diagnostic imaging and lab hours detailed below)
Sun: Closed
Make an Appointment View Location

Oak Park

Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush - Rush Oak Park Hospital

610 S Maple Ave
Rush Medical Office Building - Suite 1550
Oak Park, IL 60304-2802

Appointment (877) 632-6637
Get Directions View Location

Westchester

Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush - Prairie Medical Center of Westchester

2430 S Wolf Rd
Suite F, Second Floor
Westchester , IL 60154

Appointment (877) 632-6637
Get Directions View Location