Told yesterday my 16 year old has Degenerative Disc Disease!

We were told yesterday after my daughter had an MRI on Wed. that she has DDD. I am in shock as she is only 16  years old. Please help me figure out where I go from here! She will start PT 3 times a week starting on Tuesday. How could this happen to such a young child? Who should I see from here? I want to see a specialist, but WHO? We saw an ortho. doc who was the one who gave us these results.
My daughter has suffered from cronic (chronic) back pain for years and her ped. kept brushing it off!! Needless to say I am getting a new ped. but I have to wait until next week to see if I can get in a certain practice I want for her.
Please give me some advice!
Thanks so much
Joelle

[selmaS]

Hi...sorry ur daughter has had such pain.May I ask what part of her back is this...her cevical spine, thoracic or lumbar?
Depending on the MRI report will depend if u need to see a NS or spine specialist.

Do u have sopies of the MRI and the report?

If u have it can u mention on here what the findings and imoressions are?

I also have this, but also have cervical spinal stinosis, and bulging disks...along with chiari and tethered cord.

So , it really depends on what all is involved...PT may be all she needs right now....everyone will get DDD, but she is young to be dx'd already. I was in my 20's....and I am now 49 and have not had ne treatment.I did suffer back issues all that time tho....but until recently was able to have a "normal" life.

Please check with her PCP and review her report.
and post an update!

Godspeed
"selma"

[Joelles_Crew]

I will get a copy of the MRI and post. Thanks so much. As I understand it's lumbar.
I will post soon!
Joelle

[woodgirl41]

Sorry to hear that she has ddd, you are right, she is way to young for this. I am 44, been suffering with back problems for yrs, and just recently told I will never be able to work again. I will keep you both in my prayers. I just hope you get into the right dr. Trust me, Pain Management is nothing more than leagalized drug dealers, and really dont help at all. I wish you both the best of luck..Please keep us posted. Thanks woodgirl41