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Spine Care · Neurosurgery

Degenerative Spine Conditions, Treated by Dr. Shah-Naz Khan in Flint, MI

Degenerative spine conditions are a group of problems caused by age-related wear of the spine, affecting the discs, joints, and vertebrae (the bones of the spine). They are very common and often cause back or neck pain, stiffness, or nerve symptoms. Most are managed without surgery, starting with the least invasive care and moving to surgery only when it is truly needed.

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What it covers

Wear-related conditions of the spine's discs, joints, and vertebrae.

Common causes

Natural aging, plus factors like genetics, activity, and past injury.

Shared symptoms

Back or neck pain, stiffness, and sometimes numbness or weakness in the limbs.

Treatment path

Conservative care first, then injections, and surgery only when needed.

The umbrella term

What are degenerative spine conditions?

"Degenerative spine conditions" is an umbrella term for the changes that happen in the spine as we age. Over the years, the spinal discs (the cushions between the bones), the joints, and the vertebrae themselves can wear down. "Degenerative" means wear-related, not a disease you catch.

This wear is a normal part of aging, and many people have it on a scan without much pain. When the changes press on nearby nerves or make the spine less stable, they can cause pain, stiffness, or symptoms like numbness and weakness. The good news is that most degenerative spine conditions are managed successfully without surgery.

These conditions are a core part of Dr. Khan's spine practice. See spine care →

What wears down

Discs
The soft cushions between the bones can dry out, flatten, or bulge.
Joints
The small facet joints can develop arthritis, like other joints in the body.
Vertebrae
Bone spurs can form and, over time, narrow the space around the nerves.
Common types

Types of degenerative spine conditions

These related conditions often overlap. Where a detailed page is available, follow the link to learn more.

Spinal stenosis →

Narrowing of the spinal canal that presses on nerves, often causing leg pain when walking.

Read more

Degenerative disc disease →

Wear of the spinal discs that can cause back or neck pain and stiffness over time.

Read more

Herniated or bulging disc →

A disc that pushes out and presses on a nearby nerve, which can cause pain, numbness, or weakness.

Read more

Cervical spondylosis

Age-related wear in the neck that can cause neck pain, stiffness, and sometimes arm symptoms.

Detailed page coming soon

Spondylolisthesis

When one vertebra slips forward over the one below it, which can irritate nerves.

Detailed page coming soon

Facet joint arthritis

Arthritis in the small joints of the spine, a common source of back or neck pain and stiffness.

Detailed page coming soon

Bone spurs (osteophytes)

Extra bits of bone that form with wear and can narrow the space around the nerves.

Detailed page coming soon
Symptoms & warning signs

What symptoms do degenerative spine conditions cause?

Most cause pain and stiffness, and some affect the nerves. A few warning signs are emergencies and need care right away.

Common symptoms

These are common and worth a specialist review if they persist or limit your daily life.

  • Back or neck pain and stiffness, often worse with activity
  • Pain that travels into an arm or a leg
  • Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
  • Symptoms that ease with rest or a change in position
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Seek emergency care now if…

These can mean nerves are being seriously compressed (cauda equina syndrome). Do not wait. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER.

  • New loss of control over your bladder or bowels
  • Numbness in the groin, buttocks, or inner thighs
  • Progressive or sudden, severe weakness in the legs
  • A sudden inability to walk or stand
Call 911
Causes & risk factors

What causes degenerative spine conditions?

The main cause is the natural wear that comes with age. Several other factors can speed it up or make symptoms more likely.

Main drivers

  • Natural aging of the discs, joints, and bones
  • Genetics and family history
  • Past spine injuries or heavy, repetitive strain
  • Wear that builds up over many years

Factors that can add to it

  • Smoking, which can affect disc health
  • Excess body weight, which adds load to the spine
  • Low physical activity and weak core muscles
  • Work or hobbies with heavy lifting or twisting
Diagnosis

How are degenerative spine conditions diagnosed?

Diagnosis combines your history and a physical exam with imaging that shows the discs, joints, bones, and nerves.

First step

History & exam

Your symptoms plus a check of strength, reflexes, sensation, and movement.

Bone alignment

X-ray

Shows the bones and their alignment, and can reveal narrowing, slippage, or bone spurs.

Most detailed

MRI

The best test for the discs, nerves, and spinal cord, and what is pressing on them.

Bone detail

CT scan

Gives detailed bone views, useful when an MRI is not possible or more bone detail is needed.

Treatment overview

How are degenerative spine conditions treated?

Care follows a stepwise path, from the least invasive options to surgery, used only when it is the right choice.

Start here

Conservative care

Physical therapy, exercise, activity changes, and anti-inflammatory medicines help most people.

If needed

Interventional

Targeted steps such as epidural steroid injections can calm nerve irritation and reduce pain.

When appropriate

Surgery

Options like decompression, and fusion when the spine is unstable, are considered when other care has not helped enough or warning signs are present.

Dr. Khan's philosophy

Least invasive first

Dr. Khan generally begins with the least invasive options that fit your case and moves toward surgery only when non-surgical care has not helped enough, when symptoms clearly limit your life, or when there are warning signs.

Every case is reviewed by Dr. Khan personally, and surgery is recommended only when the benefit clearly outweighs the risk. You will get a clear, honest explanation of the trade-offs, with time for your questions. Second opinions are welcome →

What shapes the plan

Your symptoms
How much pain or nerve symptoms affect your daily life and function.
The imaging
What is worn or pressing on nerves, and whether the spine is stable.
You
Your age, health, goals, and how you have responded to earlier care.
Why choose Dr. Khan

Spine care from a neurosurgeon focused on the nerves

Shah-Naz Khan, MD, FRCSC, FAANS is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon whose practice includes the full range of spine disorders, from everyday degenerative conditions to complex spinal problems. As a neurosurgeon, she focuses on the nerves and spinal cord, not just the bones of the spine.

She founded the Institute of General and Endovascular Neurosurgery in Flint, Michigan in 2014 on a simple standard: excellence, ethics, and integrity. Every case is personally evaluated by Dr. Khan, surgery is recommended only when it is truly in your best interest, and second opinions are genuinely welcomed. Explore spine care →

Why patients choose IGEN

  • Board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon
  • Treats the full range of spine disorders, conservative and surgical
  • Every case personally reviewed by Dr. Khan, not delegated
  • Least-invasive-first, surgery only when the benefit outweighs the risk
  • Second opinions welcomed
Common questions

Degenerative spine conditions: frequently asked questions

What are degenerative spine conditions?
Degenerative spine conditions are a group of problems caused by age-related wear of the spine's discs, joints, and vertebrae. Common examples include degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and facet joint arthritis. They often cause back or neck pain, and sometimes nerve symptoms.
What is degenerative disc disease?
Degenerative disc disease is wear of the spinal discs, the cushions between the bones of the spine. Despite the name, it is not really a disease but a common age-related change. It can cause back or neck pain and stiffness, though many people have it with few symptoms.
Is degenerative spine disease serious?
Usually not. For most people it is a manageable source of pain and stiffness, not a dangerous condition. It becomes more serious if it compresses nerves, causing progressive weakness or, rarely, loss of bladder or bowel control, which needs emergency care.
Can degenerative spine conditions be treated without surgery?
Yes, most are. Physical therapy, exercise, activity changes, anti-inflammatory medicines, and sometimes injections help many people avoid surgery. Surgery is generally reserved for cases that do not improve or that involve nerve compression with warning signs.
When do degenerative spine conditions need surgery?
Surgery is considered when non-surgical care has not helped enough, when symptoms clearly limit daily life, or when nerves are compressed with warning signs like progressive weakness. A specialist weighs the likely benefit against the risks with you before recommending it.
What is the difference between degenerative disc disease and a herniated disc?
Degenerative disc disease is gradual wear of the discs over time. A herniated disc is when part of a disc pushes out and presses on a nearby nerve, which can happen suddenly. The two are related, and disc wear can make a herniation more likely.
Do degenerative spine conditions get worse over time?
The underlying wear tends to progress slowly with age, but symptoms do not always get worse and can even improve with the right care. Staying active, managing weight, and following a treatment plan can help you feel better and stay functional.
Do I need a referral to see Dr. Khan about a spine condition?
Requirements vary by insurer and situation. Many patients can request an appointment directly. If you have a referral, it helps with coordination, but it is not always required. If you are unsure, contact the office and the team will advise the best next step.

Back or neck pain that will not settle? Get a clear plan.

Whether you were told you have a degenerative spine condition or you are still looking for answers, Dr. Khan will review your case personally and walk you through your options, from conservative care to surgery, calmly and honestly.

  • Request a consultation by phone or through the contact form.
  • Share any MRI, CT, X-ray, or reports you already have.
  • Meet Dr. Khan for a personal review and a clear, honest plan.
  • Our team will follow up to confirm your appointment .
Book a Consultation Request a Second Opinion
Or call (810) 212-4100
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general education and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a substitute for care from a qualified professional. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship. If you have signs of a spinal emergency, such as new loss of bladder or bowel control or progressive leg weakness, call 911 immediately. Always talk with your own physician about your specific situation.
Medically reviewed by Shah-Naz Khan, MD, FRCSC, FAANS · Institute of General and Endovascular Neurosurgery, Flint, MI · Last updated July 8, 2026
Book a Consultation Call (810) 212-4100