Minor degeneration may cause few or no symptoms. As the condition progresses, the following may occur:
- General lower back stiffness
- Loss of spinal movement
- Lower back pain
With severe degeneration involving spinal cord or nerve compression, the following may occur:
- Pain
- 'Pins and needles' feeling
- Weakness or numbness in the lower back, buttocks, groin, legs or feet
Symptoms may worsen during activities that continuously straighten the spine or put weight on the spine like lifting, prolonged standing or walking. Symptoms usually ease during activities that bend the spine (sitting) or take weight off it (lying down).