16 year old daughter has Degenerative Disc Disease

[Joelles_Crew]

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, but I have so many unanswered questions.
My daughter has suffered from cronic back pain for years and her ped. kept brushing it off!! Could there be an underlying cause for this to happen to her so young? What is going to happen to her when she is 30?  
Advice is much appreciated! Thanks so much!
Joelle

[Michael L Gross, MD]

With the sports she plays, further imaging may be of value to rule out a sponyloysis or spondylolisthesis,

[Joelles_Crew]

Thanks you so much for the information. My daughter could stand to loose 10lbs, but is not overweight by any means. She plays volley ball and takes dance class. From what I understand it's 4 discs and lumbar spine. I am getting a copy of the MRI today.
She starts PT today and I asked for pain meds. for her. They gave her 800mg of ibuprofen. Ibuprofen has not helped her in the past, but it was not taken at that high dose, so I hope it will help her now. I am going to look for an ped. ortho. doc and get a 2nd opinion on what he/she things of the condition of her back.
Thank you again for you reply!
Joelle

[Michael L Gross, MD]

Degenerative disc disease is unusual in a 16 year old, but not unheard of.   It is imprortant to realize that DDD is not really a disease at all, but really a condition. You didn't mention if she was athletic, or overweight. Both of these could be a cause for degenerative discs in the spine.  Another important consideration is the location, cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine?  Is it one disc space, or many?
Commonly, the initial treatment is phical therapy, aqua therapy is often helpful.  As she starts to exercise, medications are useful, usually NSAIDS, and occasionally steriods.
If this is unsuccessful, local injections can be helpful.  Finally, if all else fails, there are surgical alternatives.
I would recommend evaluation by a orthopedic spine specialist,  or a physiatrist (who concentrates on the non-surgical treatment of spines) or a pediatric orthopedist.