The most common area for arthritis is near the bottom of the spine because these levels carry the most weight. It is also common in the middle of the neck (C5-C6 and C6-C7).
Most of the time disc degeneration does not cause pain. So do not panic if you see it mentioned on an xray or MRI report! However, in rare instances, discs can cause a significant amount of pain.
A good way to think of a disc is to compare it to a jelly donut. The outer portion is thicker, and the inside is more gelatinous. The outer part is called the “annulus fibrosis” and the inner part is called the “nucleus pulposis”.
It is natural for the annulus to develop small fissures over time, usually directed posteriorly toward the nerves. The inner nucleus can leak through these passages. A herniated disc when the disc displaces relatively quickly and place pressure on the nerves. Other times, the discs break down much more slowly - something we call spondylosis. However, at times this bulge can contribute to narrowing of the spinal canal. This may contribute to spinal stenosis.