Diagnosis and symptoms6 min read
What is cervical disc degeneration? Wear in the neck discs
Cervical disc degeneration is the loss of water content and height in the discs between the neck vertebrae. Frequently seen in MRI reports, the phrase causes anxiety in patients, though the process is an ordinary part of ageing.
What changes in the disc
A disc consists of a strong outer ring and a gel-like inner core. With age the core's water content falls and the disc flattens.
As disc height reduces, the vertebrae come closer and part of the load shifts to the facet joints behind. That shift is a common mechanical source of neck pain.
The process begins in the thirties and occurs in everyone. In most people over fifty these changes are found on MRI, and a significant proportion of that group have no symptoms.
Symptoms
The most common complaints are dull pain at the back of the neck and reduced range of motion, with pain usually building through the day.
Morning stiffness is frequent and generally settles quickly. Prolonged morning stiffness calls for other diagnoses to be considered.
If the disc bulges backward and affects a nerve root, radiating arm pain and numbness are added. That picture is addressed separately under cervical radiculopathy.
How meaningful is the MRI finding?
Phrases such as 'degenerative change', 'reduced disc height' and 'protrusion' appear very often in MRI reports. They can be normal age-related findings.
The same findings are seen just as often on MRI in people without pain. A report therefore does not by itself explain the source of pain.
For a finding to be meaningful it must match the location and referral of the patient's pain and the examination findings. The treatment plan follows that whole.
Key points
- Disc degeneration is a natural age-related process.
- It begins in the thirties and occurs in everyone.
- As disc height falls, load shifts to the facet joints.
- The same MRI findings appear in people without pain.
- A finding is not meaningful unless it matches symptoms and examination.
Frequently asked questions
Can degeneration be stopped?
The structural process cannot be halted, but factors affecting its pace can be managed: regular movement, stopping smoking and reducing excessive load on the neck.
Does it turn into a herniation?
The likelihood of herniation is somewhat higher in a degenerated disc, but it is not inevitable. Most people with degeneration never develop one.
Is it abnormal at a young age?
Mild changes starting in the late twenties are normal. Where marked, multi-level degeneration appears young, genetic predisposition, smoking and a history of heavy loading are assessed.
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This content is for information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Response to treatment varies between individuals. Please consult a healthcare professional about your symptoms.