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Spinal Joint Disease Vs. Disk Disease

Degenerative disc diseases occurs as the discs in the spine wear down over time, according to WebMD. This degeneration can lead to painful conditions, including spinal joint disease, according to the website.

  1. Spinal Discs

    • Spinal discs are soft, compressible structures that separate the vertebrae making up the spine, according to WebMD. The discs allow the spine to bend easily while absorbing impact.

    Disc Degeneration

    • Over time, spinal discs start to break down and lose fluid. This reduces cushioning between vertebrae, causing pain and limiting the range of spinal movement in some people, according to WebMD.

    Spinal Joint Disease

    • This disc degeneration can lead to osteoarthritis of the spine, according to WebMD. Osteoarthritis of the spine, also known as spinal joint disease, is the degeneration of cartilage in the spine, according to Spine Universe.

    Symptoms

    • Disc disease sometimes has no symptoms, according to WebMD. However, the disease may result in neck or back pain and limited movement. Spinal joint disease symptoms include pain (especially after exercise), swelling (often before or after a change in weather), loss of flexibility and stiffness after periods of rest, according to Spine Universe.

    Risk Factors

    • Spinal injury may set off symptoms of disc disease, according to WebMD. Disc degeneration is most likely to occur in smokers, those who do manual labor and obese people, according to WebMD. Disc disease is a risk factor for osteoarthritis. Women, people over 45 and those with other diseases affecting joints or cartilage are also at greater risk of developing osteoarthritis, according to Spine Universe.

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