When discs degenerate, they can crack, protrude, tear or flatten, irritating the cartilage that lashes the facet joints together, and in extreme cases, causing collapse of the spinal column. When this happens, the spinal canal , which encases and protects the spinal cord, may narrow and press on the network of nerves that send impulses to all parts of the body. This, in turn, may cause intense pain. One degenerative disease associated with aging that may cause back pain is degenerative arthritis or spondylitis. In this disease, wear and tear on the spine as we age causes inflammation, which can eat away at spinal cartilage and cause painful bony overgrowths called spurs.
Osteoporosis is another degenerative condition of aging, which frequently affects the back.
In osteoporosis, a loss of calcium over time leaves bones porous, susceptible to fractures, and easily bent, causing a stooped appearance in many elderly victims.