What is the Difference Between Degenerative Disc Disease and Spinal Stenosis?

Degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis are two distinct conditions that affect the spine, but they share some similarities. Both conditions are related to the wear and tear of the spine as we age. Here are the main differences between the two:

Degenerative Disc Disease:

• Caused by the progressive deterioration of spinal discs and arthritic changes in the facet joints due to wear and tear with aging.
• Discs often degenerate with age, causing vertebrae to sit closer together, which is part of the reason we shrink with age.
• Degenerative discs can lead to pain via multiple pathways, including when the disc's outer layer (annulus) bulges or tears, resulting in back pain.
• Associated conditions include lumbar radiculopathy (sciatica), neurologic claudication, and degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Spinal Stenosis:

• Characterized by a reduction in the central canal diameter of the spine, causing compression of the nerves.
• Symptoms include pain in the back and legs, which can be worse with walking and better at rest (neurogenic claudication).
• Patients often find pain relief by bending forward when walking, a position commonly assumed when pushing a shopping cart.
• Overgrowth of bone spurs can produce narrowing of the spinal canal, resulting in spinal stenosis.

In summary, degenerative disc disease is a condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae deteriorate with age, leading to pain and other symptoms. Spinal stenosis, on the other hand, involves the narrowing of the central canal in the spine, leading to compression of the nerves and pain in the back and legs. While both conditions are related to the aging process and can cause pain, they differ in their specific causes and manifestations.

Comparative Table: Degenerative Disc Disease vs Spinal Stenosis

Degenerative Disc Disease and Spinal Stenosis are two different conditions that can affect the spine. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:

While degenerative disc disease is a condition that affects the intervertebral discs and can cause pain, spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that can lead to compression of nerves and pain. Both conditions can be caused by aging and degenerative changes in the spine, but they manifest differently and require different treatments.