What Happens If Degenerative Disc Disease Goes Untreated?

If degenerative disc disease is left untreated, damaged spinal discs lose height, flexibility, and shock absorption, which can worsen chronic pain over time. As degeneration progresses, nearby nerves may get compressed, leading to numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain radiating in the legs. Without treatment, DDD can also increase spinal stiffness, reduce mobility, and disrupt sleep.

At Total Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, our spine surgeon, Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik, evaluates your symptoms, assesses degenerative disc disease progression, and performs artificial disc replacement to relieve back pain. If you have already received a surgical recommendation, he can also provide a second opinion to review your diagnosis and determine if ADR is appropriate for your condition. Call 855-321-6784 to book your appointment in Queens.

How Can Untreated Degenerative Disc Disease Cause Nerve Damage?

Without treatment, degenerative disc disease can gradually damage the structures that protect spinal nerves and support normal movement. As spinal discs dehydrate, they lose height and flexibility, which increases stress on the spine. This added stress can narrow nerve pathways, leading to disc bulging or herniation, and increase inflammation around nearby nerve roots.

Over time, chronic irritation or compression may disrupt nerve signaling, leading to pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or reduced coordination. Here’s how untreated degenerative disc disease (DDD) can lead to progressive nerve damage:

Loss of Disc Height

When an intervertebral disc wears down, it loses height, reducing the space between nearby spinal vertebrae. This change can narrow the spinal nerves’ openings. As a result, nerves may get compressed, leading to pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness along the affected nerve pathway. Moreover, this process often starts gradually but may worsen as disc degeneration continues, affecting the following body parts:

• Lower back (localized pain and stiffness)
• Buttocks (deep, radiating discomfort)
• Hips (pressure or aching sensation)
• Thighs (front, back, or outer leg pain)
• Legs (radiating leg pain or sciatica-like symptoms)
• Feet and toes (numbness, tingling, or weakness)

Bulging or Herniated Discs

Degenerative changes can weaken the outer disc wall, increasing the chances of disc bulging. In some cases, the inner disc material can also push through the weakened outer layer, leading to a herniated disc. These bulging or herniated discs can directly compress a nearby nerve root. As a result, this pressure may cause chronic low back pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness along the nerve pathway.

Inflammation Around Nerves

Untreated disc degeneration can trigger inflammation near spinal nerves and release the following inflammatory chemicals:

• TNF-alpha: Increases nerve root inflammation and intensifies radiating low back and leg pain.
• IL-1 beta: Speeds up disc wear and increases pain sensitivity around affected lumbar nerves.
• IL-6: May promote ongoing inflammation and contribute to persistent pain signaling in the lower back and legs.
• IL-8: Attracts inflammatory cells to the damaged disc area and increases local nerve irritation.
• Prostaglandins: They increase sensitivity in nearby nerves, making pain more intense.

Bone Spurs and Stenosis

As your spine adapts to degenerative changes, your body may form bone spurs around affected joints. These bony growths can reduce the space around the nearby spinal nerves. Degeneration may also lead to foraminal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal). If this narrowing progresses, it can put significant pressure on the following nerves, leading to chronic pain, numbness, and tingling:

• L2 nerve root: Affects the upper thigh and hip area
• L3 nerve root: Impacts the front of the thigh and knee region
• L4 nerve root: Can cause pain, numbness, or muscle weakness in the thigh, knee, and inner leg
• L5 nerve root: Often leads to pain along the outer leg and top of the foot
• S1 nerve root: Affects the back of the leg, heel, and outer foot

In fact, according to NCBI, Egli et al. reported that 78% of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis showed delayed H-reflex (a test that measures how quickly nerve signals travel through a reflex pathway). Additionally, 39% of patients had abnormal CMAP amplitude (compound muscle action potential, or muscle response strength to nerve stimulation). These results indicate reduced nerve-to-muscle function in spinal stenosis.

Progressive Nerve Dysfunction

Without degenerative disc disease treatment, ongoing degeneration and nerve compression can gradually disrupt nerve function. In the early stage, you may only notice pain while standing, walking, or bending. However, as nerve function declines, you may notice prominent weakness, reduced reflexes, and muscle loss in the affected leg or foot. In these cases, our spine specialist, Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik, MD, may recommend lumbar disc surgery (ADR) to relieve pressure on the affected nerves and restore disc height. This procedure can also help maintain spinal motion, reduce nerve irritation, improve mobility, and support long-term nerve function.

How Does Lumbar Disc Degeneration Progress Over Time?

Lumbar disc degeneration progresses gradually as the discs in your lower spine lose water content, strength, and flexibility. In the early stage, the disc begins to dehydrate and lose height. As a result, you may experience mild lower back discomfort, especially after prolonged sitting or physical activity. As degeneration progresses, the weakened disc may bulge, tear, or collapse, leading to reduced disc space and spinal joint pain.

Over time, this disc progression can lead to several structural changes in the lumbar spine, including:

• Loss of normal disc height between lumbar vertebrae
• Flattening of the affected disc space
• Tearing in the outer disc layer
• Reduced spacing within the neural foramen
• Thickening of nearby facet joints
• Changes in normal lumbar curvature due to disc collapse
• Segmental instability in the affected spinal level

According to clinical research, disc changes can also result from genetic factors. For instance, a PubMed-indexed study examined whether genetic factors affect the progression of Lumbar Disc Degeneration over time. In this 10-year follow-up study of 234 twin pairs, researchers used MRI scans to track disc changes.

The participants included both identical and non-identical twins, with an average age of 53 years. Over time, all signs of disc degeneration worsened significantly. Results revealed that posterior disc bulging was heritable across all ages. Disc signal changes and bone spur formation also have strong heritability in younger individuals.

What Are the Signs of Worsening Disc Disease?

Worsening degenerative disc disease (DDD) typically causes chronic, severe back pain, radiating leg pain (sciatica), numbness, tingling, and weakness in the limbs. As discs dehydrate and collapse, they can also lead to reduced spinal flexibility, increased nerve compression, muscle spasms, and difficulty walking or standing for long periods. Moreover, according to the National Institutes of Health, lumbar disc degeneration can cause sensory changes and claudication (leg pain or cramping that improves with rest).

If you notice any of these symptoms, consult our spine surgeon, Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik, immediately for a detailed spinal assessment. He will examine your spinal function and order advanced imaging to determine if disc collapse or nerve compression is causing your symptoms. Based on the findings, he may recommend conservative treatments or lumbar artificial disc replacement to relieve pain and restore disc function. Call 855-321-6784 to book your appointment with Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik.

Can Disc Disease Lead to Facet Joint Degeneration?

Yes, disc disease can gradually lead to facet joint degeneration. If you have degenerative disc disease, the damaged disc may lose water content, height, and flexibility over time. After some time, the disc may fail to absorb pressure and support normal spinal movement. This change can shift mechanical stress onto the joints and spinal cord, leading to facet joint degeneration.

In fact, a study published on PubMed Central examined how degenerative disc disease affects the movement patterns of lumbar facet joints. In this study of 10 symptomatic DDD patients at L4–S1, researchers used MRI-based 3D models and dual fluoroscopic imaging. They used this diagnostic imaging to analyze facet joint motion during trunk movements. The results showed that facet joints in degenerative disc disease patients had altered motion patterns, including:

• Abnormal rotation at lumbar segments
• Uneven movement distribution across spinal levels
• Increased motion at certain levels (e.g., L4–L5)
• Reduced motion at other levels compared to healthy participants

Does a Sedentary Lifestyle Worsen Disc Damage?

Yes, a sedentary lifestyle can significantly worsen disc damage because spinal discs need regular movement to stay healthy. Since discs do not have a direct blood supply (avascular), they depend on body movement to receive oxygen, water, and nutrients. However, if you sit for long periods, this nutrient exchange slows down, leading to disc dehydration, reduced disc height, and faster degeneration over time.

Limited physical activity can also reduce muscle strength and stability in your core and lower back. When your muscles are weak, they do not provide enough support to the spine, increasing pressure on the intervertebral discs. As a result, the discs absorb more load during everyday movements, which can speed up wear and tear and worsen degeneration. In these cases, our  disc replacement specialist, Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik, may recommend the following lifestyle changes to protect your spine and reduce the risk of permanent disc damage:

1. Regular Walking Routine

Walking helps maintain disc hydration by encouraging gentle spinal movement. It also improves blood flow to surrounding nerves and muscles. This improved blood circulation supports better nutrient delivery to the spinal disc. Moreover, regular walking reduces lower back stiffness and helps maintain lumbar spine flexibility. However, if you have a desk job, taking time out to walk can be difficult. In these cases, you can follow this walk-in-place technique to maintain spinal mobility:

• Stand up every 30 to 45 minutes and walk in place for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Keep your spine upright, and your shoulders relaxed as you walk in place.
• Swing your arms naturally to encourage full-body movement and better posture.
• Gently tighten your core while walking to support your lumbar spine.
• Perform 20 to 30 marching steps before sitting back.
• Increase the duration gradually if your lower back tolerates the movement well.

2. Strengthen Your Core Muscles

Strong core muscles stabilize the lumbar spine during movement by supporting proper alignment. They also reduce excess load on intervertebral discs. In contrast, weak core muscles increase disc stress, especially during bending and lifting movements, leading to disc degeneration.

Here are some strengthening exercises that can help reduce the risk of progressive disc degeneration:

• Pelvic Tilts: Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat. Then, tighten your core and gently press your lower back into the floor. Hold for 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat 10–15 times.
• Bridges: Lie on your back with knees bent. After that, lift your hips upward while keeping your shoulders on the floor. Hold for 5–10 seconds, then lower slowly. Repeat 10–12 times.
• Bird Dog: Get on your hands and knees. Extend one arm forward and the opposite leg backward. Hold for 5 seconds, then switch sides. Repeat 8–10 times per side.
• Modified Plank (Knees Down): Get into a plank position with your knees on the ground. Keep your body in a straight line from shoulders to knees. Hold for 10–20 seconds and repeat 5–8 times.
• Dead Bug: Lie on your back with arms and legs raised. Then lower one arm and the opposite leg slowly. Return to the start and switch sides. Repeat 8–10 times per side.

3. Improve Posture

Maintaining good posture while sitting can reduce unnecessary stress on your spinal discs, especially if you spend long hours at a desk. When you sit upright with proper lumbar support, pressure is distributed more evenly across your spine. This position helps keep your lower back stable and reduces constant disc compression.

4. Maintain a Healthy Body Weight

Excess body weight can increase mechanical stress on the lumbar spine and lead to disc wear. Extra load also puts continuous pressure on the lower back, which can cause disc dehydration and height loss. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce this strain, supports better spinal alignment, and lowers the risk of progressive disc degeneration.

In our clinical experience, we often see that patients with higher body weight report more frequent lower back pain. We have also noticed that even slight weight reduction can significantly reduce pressure on the lumbar discs and improve daily life. Based on this observation, we recommend weight management as a key part of protecting spinal health and slowing disc degeneration. Here are some practical nutritional strategies that can help you manage your weight more effectively:

• Portion control: Eat smaller, balanced portions to avoid excess calorie intake and reduce strain on the spine over time.
• High-protein meals: Include lean proteins such as eggs, chicken, fish, or lentils in your daily diet to support muscle strength and keep you fuller longer.
• Increase fiber intake: Add vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to improve digestion and reduce overeating.
• Limit sugary foods: Reduce sweets and sugary drinks to prevent unnecessary calorie gain and weight increase.
• Healthy fats: Consume nuts, seeds, and olive oil in moderation to support overall body function without excess weight gain.

How Do Our Doctors Assess Disc Degeneration?

To assess disc degeneration, our spine surgeon, Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik, orders advanced imaging such as X-rays or MRI scans. X-rays help evaluate bone alignment, disc space narrowing, and spinal instability. Similarly, MRI scans provide detailed images of the intervertebral discs, nerves, and soft tissues, which help identify disc dehydration, bulging, or nerve compression. To accurately match your symptoms with imaging results, our slipped disc doctor, Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik, may also ask the following questions:

• Where is your pain located (back, leg, or both)?
• Does your pain travel down to your buttocks, thigh, or foot?
• Which movements worsen your symptoms (sitting, bending, walking, lifting)?
• When did your symptoms start, and are they getting worse over time?
• Do you feel numbness or tingling in your legs or feet?
• Have you noticed weakness in your leg, foot, or toes?
• How long can you sit or stand before pain begins?
• Do your symptoms improve when you lie down or bend forward?

After that, he may conduct a detailed physical exam to assess your spinal movement and muscle strength. For example, he may perform a straight-leg raise test to evaluate nerve irritation and evaluate your leg reflexes. He may also check your walking pattern and posture to identify any signs of spinal instability. This early, detailed diagnosis helps us clearly understand the severity of your condition and design a treatment plan that effectively relieves pressure on the affected discs. Call us at 855-321-6784 to schedule your consultation.

Which Treatments Help Manage Degenerative Disc Disease?

NSAID medications, spinal injections, PRP, advanced radiofrequency neurotomy, and chiropractic care can help manage degenerative disease. Similarly, guided exercise programs and muscle relaxants can reduce chronic lower back pain and discomfort. Here’s how these treatments can help you manage disc degeneration-related back pain and improve mobility:

• NSAID Medications: Reduce inflammation around discs and nerves, helping relieve lower back pain and stiffness
• Spinal Injections: Deliver anti-inflammatory medication near nerves to reduce irritation and leg pain
• PRP Therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma): Uses your blood platelets to support tissue healing and improve disc health
• Radiofrequency Neurotomy: Disrupts pain signals from affected facet joints to provide longer-lasting lower back pain relief
• Chiropractic Care: Adjusts spinal alignment to reduce disc pressure and improve overall spinal movement and balance
• Muscle Relaxants: Reduce muscle spasms and improve comfort during movement and daily activities

However, in severe cases, Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik often recommends surgical intervention such as lumbar artificial disc replacement (ADR). With experience in complex spinal procedures, he can precisely replace the damaged disc, relieve pressure on compressed nerves, and restore disc height. After the procedure, you will gradually regain spinal stability and experience reduced pain.

What is the Success Rate of Disc Replacement for DDD?

The success rate of lumbar disc replacement for degenerative disc disease is approximately 75%. According to the NCBI, a systematic review evaluated long-term outcomes of lumbar total disc replacement in patients with Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease. The review included 22 studies with 2,284 patients and an average follow-up of over 8 years.

Results showed significant improvement in pain and disability scores, with average reductions in VAS pain and ODI disability measures. Clinical success rates were also about 75%, and patient satisfaction was over 86%. Moreover, complication rates were around 18%, and reoperation rates were about 14%.

How Long Does Disc Degeneration Recovery Take?

In our experience, recovery from lumbar disc degeneration usually takes 3-6 months for initial improvement with conservative treatment. But if symptoms persist or nerve compression is severe, we may recommend surgical treatment, which can extend the recovery timeline to 6 months or 1 year. However, the exact recovery time can vary and often depends on the following factors:

• Severity of disc degeneration
• Patient age and overall health
• Physical activity level
• Lifestyle habits
• Muscle strength and spinal stability
• Body weight and spinal load

Schedule an Appointment for Degenerative Disc Treatment!

Degenerative disc disease can cause persistent pain, spinal stiffness, and reduced mobility that disrupt your daily activities. As the condition progresses, disc damage may lead to nerve compression and spinal instability, which can reduce your work performance, limit productivity, and even affect job promotion opportunities.

If you have degenerative disc disease, our spine surgeon, Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik, at Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, can perform lumbar artificial disc replacement to relieve nerve compression. He also monitors your recovery closely after the procedure, tracks your healing progress, and guides your postoperative care to help improve mobility, reduce pain, and support long-term spinal function. Call 855-321-6784 or visit our clinics in Syosset or Manhattan for advanced artificial disc replacement.

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