Discogenic pain is pain originating from a damaged vertebral disc, particularly due to a trauma or degenerative disc disease. However, not all degenerated discs cause pain. Disc degeneration occurs naturally with age.
Once a fully degenerated disc no longer has any inflammatory proteins that can cause pain, the disc enters into a stable position. Hence, discogenic pain rarely occurs after 60 years of age.
Discogenic pain can usually be successfully treated with non-surgical treatments, such as pain medication and physiotherapy, but chronic discogenic pain that is severe and limits the individual’s ability to function may need to be treated with surgery.
