Which condition is characterized by a bulging or herniated disc?

The condition characterized by a bulging or herniated disc is indeed degenerative disc disease. This condition involves the intervertebral discs—the cushioning structures between the vertebrae. Over time, these discs can lose hydration and elasticity due to age or injury, leading to disc degeneration. The degeneration can cause the discs to bulge or herniate, pressing on nearby spinal nerves, which can lead to pain, numbness, or weakness in the extremities.

Chronic low back pain may present as a symptom resulting from degenerative disc disease, but it is not a condition defined specifically by the presence of a bulging or herniated disc. Peripheral neuropathy involves damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord and typically does not relate to disc issues. Osteoarthritis primarily affects the joints and is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage, which is separate from disc health. Therefore, degenerative disc disease is the most accurate term for describing a condition involving bulging or herniated discs.