Pain associated with degenerative disc disease tends to be concentrated in the lower buttocks and upper back. Pain that radiates down into the leg or foot is usually minimal. Depending on the location of the injured disc, neck pain may also occur.

Pain often begins gradually and increases with prolonged sitting or standing. Sitting is particularly likely to aggravate the condition, because it puts three times more load on the intervertebral discs than standing does. On the other hand, patients may find that pain is relieved when they stand upright, move about, walk or lie in the fetal position. Bending, twisting or lifting tends to make the pain worse as it tends to cause more pressure on the discs.

Pain, ranging from mild to severe, can come and go, with episodes lasting from a few days to a few months. Patients who experience weakness in the leg muscles or foot may have suffered damage to a nerve root (radiculopathy).