Yes, as the intervertebral discs continue to thin and break down, the overall structure of the spine changes. The loss of disc height shifts extra weight and pressure onto the facet joints at the back of the spine, which can lead to osteoarthritis and the formation of bone spurs as the body attempts to stabilize itself.
Over time, these structural changes can encroach upon the spinal canal, leading to secondary conditions such as Spinal Stenosis (narrowing of the canal) or Spondylolisthesis (where one vertebra slips forward over another). These secondary issues are often the actual cause of the severe radiating leg or arm pain that patients with advanced DDD experience.
