Degenerative disc disease refers to a syndrome in which a twisted disc causes chronic low back pain. The injury weakens the disc and creates excessive motion in the joints of the vertebrae. This causes the tissues, fluids and nerves around the disc to become painful and irritated.

Some disc degeneration is a normal part of the process of aging. For most people, degenerative disc disease can be successfully treated with traditional care. Most patients will experience low-grade tolerable pain that will occasionally flare up as a result of over exertion. The frequency and intensity of the pain that accompanies degenerative disc disease can be managed with an exercise program..
 

Discectomy (sometimes also called open discectomy) refers to the surgical removal of herniated disc material that is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord. Before the disc material is removed, some of the bone from the affected vertebra may be removed first using a procedure called a laminotomy or laminectomy. This allows the surgeon to better see the area so that the herniated disc material can be easily removed.

A discectomy is recommended after magnetic resonance imaging (a MRI) of your spine confirms that a herniated disc is the source of your back pain.

During the procedure, the surgeon removes the fragments of disc material that have protruded into the spinal canal. The disc space may also be explored, and any other loose fragments of disc that could eventually press on nerves may also removed.

These procedures are generally performed in a hospital, using general anesthesia.