This study reviews prospectively a series of 29 patients who were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and discography for degenerative disc disease. All had persistent low-back pain and non-diagnostic initial investigations, including plain films, myelography and/or computed tomography (CT). The imaging characteristics for degenerative disc disease correlated in 65 out of 73 intervertebral levels. All symptomatic discs were degenerate on both MRI and discography. Features of degenerative disc disease on MRI were assessed retrospectively, with a view to identifying the symptomatic level as defined by discography. MRI could not reliably detect this level, particularly in those with multi-level degenerative disc disease. Positive reproduction of symptoms at discography was the criteria used for surgery. All 12 patients in this group had posterior spinal fusion performed. Nine improved and three were unchanged. Of the ancillary features associated with disc degeneration, only a bulging annulus fibrosis proved to be of any value on MRI. Nonetheless, MRI should be used as the primary investigation in this patient group as it can lead to a marked reduction in the number of disc levels requiring injection.