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So many of my friends in their 50s are having disc breakdowns. Their doctors tell them they have degenerative disc disease (DDD). Does this happen to everyone in their 50s? I'm only 45, and I'm not looking forward to gimping around like so many of my friends.

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common cause of low back pain in adults. The condition can occur anytime from early adulthood through middle age. Some older adults are also affected.

It is an aging-related condition. The number of healthy, intact cells in the disc starts to decline as we get older. The amount of water in the disc also decreases. The outer covering of the disc, called the annulus may start to dry out, crack, and form fissures.

The inner portion of the disc, called the nucleus also becomes more fibrotic (hard or scarred). The normal pattern of collagen tissue in both sections of the disc starts to degenerate and lose its sense of tight organization. The result is even more cracks and fissures.

The disc starts to flatten. This flattening causes a smaller disc space. With a narrower disc space, pressure is put on the spinal nerves leaving the area. Back and/or leg pain can develop requiring treatment.

But not everyone develops symptomatic DDD. Scientists aren't sure why this happens. Two people can have the same amount of change in the discs and spine with very different symptoms. One person may not even have any symptoms, while the other is in severe pain.

We don't know yet how to predict who will be affected, who will need treatment, and what the best approach is to take in treatment. Specific steps to prevent DDD are also unknown at this time.

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