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I am 59-years old. I've been diagnosed with back pain from progressive disc disease. What changes occur with this progression?

A normal, healthy disc is shiny and free of any tears or damage. The center portion called the nucleus pulposus is a healthy, whitish-gray color and remains separate from the outer layer (the annulus fibrosus).

Early changes occur only in the nucleus. The annulus fibrosus is still clearly separate from the nucleus. Changes occur in both portions of the disc as the degeneration continues. The nucleus is still soft, but it's starting to become more fibrous and tough.

In advanced disease, there’s no boundary between the nucleus and the anulus. Tears and holes are present in both. The tissue is discolored and thin.

Reference: 

Fred J. Molz, et al. The Acute Effects of Posterior Fusion Instrumentation on Kinematics and Intradiscal Pressure of the Human Lumbar Spine. In Journal of Spinal Disorders. April 2003. Vol. 16. No. 2. Pp. 171-179.

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