Height Loss

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) Can Cause Loss of Height

 

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) can cause a noticeable, but typically modest, loss of height as the intervertebral discs gradually lose their water content, elasticity, and thickness.

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is a condition in adults where the discs between the spine’s bones wear down over time. For example, these discs, made of soft tissue, act as cushions for flexibility and shock absorption. However, with age, injury, or stress, they can lose water, stretch, and height, resulting in reduced support. As a result, this may lead to ongoing back or neck pain, stiffness, or pain that spreads if nerves are pressed. Still, some people have no symptoms. Moreover, things like genes, being overweight, smoking, or hard physical work can speed up DDD, which is common in older adults but can happen earlier due to injury or stress.

In fact, DDD isn’t a true disease but a normal part of aging for many, with varying effects. For instance, doctors use X-rays or MRIs to check disc changes. Consequently, symptoms can be managed with physical therapy, medicine, lifestyle changes, or, in bad cases, surgery like spinal fusion or disc replacement. Although DDD can’t be fixed, treatments focus on easing pain and keeping movement. Ultimately, care is based on a person’s symptoms and health.

Here’s what research and spine specialists report:

Typical amount of height loss

• Mild DDD: Often causes little or no loss.
• Moderate DDD: Disc height can shrink by a few millimeters per disc. Therefore, across several lumbar and thoracic levels, this can result in a total height loss of about ½–1 inch.
• Severe DDD (when combined with vertebral collapse or scoliosis): As a result, height loss may reach 1–2 inches, sometimes a bit more.

Important considerations

• DDD alone rarely explains a loss of more than 2 inches.
• Greater reductions (3 inches or more) usually suggest osteoporotic compression fractures, scoliosis progression, or kyphosis in addition to DDD.
• The lumbar and thoracic discs account for most change; cervical discs contribute less.

Takeaway

For most people, DDD-related height loss is up to about 1–2 inches over many years. Overall, a one-inch reduction in an 80-year-old is consistent with moderate degenerative disc changes—provided bone density is adequate and there are no vertebral fractures.

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) Versus Other Conditions

Here’s how doctors usually distinguish height loss from degenerative disc disease (DDD) versus other causes, such as osteoporosis or spinal curvature:

1. Detailed History & Physical Exam

• Timeline of loss: Gradual shrinkage over many years → more suggestive of DDD.
• Sudden loss or sharp back pain: May point toward an osteoporotic compression fracture.
• Posture: A stooped or rounded upper back suggests kyphosis from fractures or scoliosis.

2. Imaging Studies

Test	What it Shows	Role
Standing spinal X-rays	Disc-space height, vertebral body height, and spinal curves	First step is to see disc thinning, fractures, or curvature
MRI	Disc hydration, bulges, herniation, nerve pressure	Clarifies how much of the disc has dried/collapsed
DEXA scan	Bone mineral density	Detects osteoporosis, which raises fracture risk
EOS or full-spine X-rays	Posture alignment, kyphosis, scoliosis angles	Quantifies deformity-related height loss

3. Clinical Clues

DDD:

• Even narrowing of disc spaces on imaging
• No wedge or crush of vertebral bodies
• Loss usually ≤1–2 inches

Osteoporotic compression fractures:

• Vertebral bodies look wedge-shaped or flattened
• May produce acute pain, height loss of 2–4 inches if multiple levels collapse

Scoliosis/kyphosis:

• Curved or sharply angled spine
• Measured by Cobb angle (scoliosis) or kyphotic angle (Scheuermann’s, postural)

4. Putting It Together

Doctors combine the following to estimate how much a person’s height change is due to disc degeneration vs. fractures or spinal deformity.

• Disc height on X-ray/MRI
• Vertebral body shape
• Spinal alignment
• Bone density

5. Key point:
DDD alone seldom causes dramatic loss. When someone loses several inches, clinicians carefully rule out compression fractures, scoliosis, or age-related kyphosis.

Typical Height Loss From Different Causes in Older Adults.

(Values are approximate averages from spine and osteoporosis literature — individual cases vary.)

Cause	Mechanism	Usual Height Loss	Notes
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)	Discs lose water, flatten, and narrow over time	~0.5–2 in (1–5 cm) total (rarely >2 in)	Loss occurs gradually; discs appear thinned on X-ray/MRI
Osteoporotic Compression Fractures	Vertebral bodies collapse or wedge	2–4 in (5–10 cm) if several vertebrae are fractured	Sudden pain may accompany a new fracture; DEXA often shows low bone density
Age-related Thoracic Kyphosis / “Dowager’s hump”	A gradual forward curve of the thoracic spine, often with osteoporosis or disc wear	1–3 in (2.5–7.5 cm), sometimes more if severe	Curve makes standing height shorter, even if the bones are intact
Scoliosis Progression (adult degenerative)	The side-to-side curve of the spine increases	1–3 in (2.5–7.5 cm) depending on curve angle	Often combined with disc degeneration

Key takeaway:
A one-inch loss in an 80-year-old fits well with moderate DDD, provided imaging shows no vertebral fractures or significant curvature.

Healthy Spine & Height Checklist

1. Keep Bones Strong

• To start with, get enough calcium (1,000–1,200 mg/day from food + supplements if needed).
• Next, take vitamin D as advised by your doctor.
• Also, schedule a DEXA scan to check bone density.
• Additionally, do weight-bearing exercises (walk, climb stairs, light weights) most days.

2. Support Discs and Joints

• Furthermore, stay active every day — movement feeds discs.
• In addition, practice core-strengthening and stretching (Pilates, gentle yoga, or PT).
• Maintain a healthy body weight to reduce spinal load.

3. Practice Good Posture

• Sit in a chair with firm support, keeping both feet flat.
• Avoid slumping at a desk — keep screens at eye level.
• Lift correctly: bend knees/hips, keep the object close, avoid twisting.

4. Prevent Falls & Fractures

• Keep floors clear, add grab bars where needed, and wear stable shoes.
• Have your eyes and hearing checked regularly.
• Review medicines with your doctor for side effects that affect balance.

5. Partner With Your Doctor

• Also, always, track height and posture at routine visits.
• Routinely, ask about safe medicines or supplements for bone strength.
• Normally, discuss any new back pain quickly to rule out fractures.

Why Choose the Southwest Scholiosis and Spine Institute

The institute’s focus on cutting-edge research and advanced surgical techniques provides patients with the best possible outcomes, enhancing both function and quality of life. Overall, patients should also know that surgery is the last resort, but it is also the treatment that will guarantee positive results. Finally, at the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute, we focus on Diagnosis, Treatment, & Care for our Patients. In conclusion, our fellowship-trained, board-certified expert orthopedic scoliosis surgeons, Richard Hostin, MD, Devesh Ramnath, MD, Ishaq Syed, MD, Shyam Kishan, MD, and Kathryn Wiesman, MD, specialize in all types of spine conditions, deformities, and back pain.

Significantly, these surgeons have treated over 100,000 patients and performed more than 16,000 successful scoliosis surgeries, including complex and revision cases. If you are seeking medical treatment from the Spine Experts at the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute, we have offices in Dallas, Plano, and Frisco, Texas. Appointments are available within 24 hours.

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Citation: National Library of Medicine – Loss of lumbar disc height

The medical content on this page has been carefully reviewed. It was approved for accuracy by the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute’s qualified healthcare professionals. This includes our board-certified physicians and Physician Assistants. Our team ensures that all information reflects the latest evidence-based practices and meets rigorous standards of medical accuracy, with oversight from our expert spine doctors to guarantee the reliability of our information for our patients.