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13 year old daughter, bulging disc. Degenerative disc disease
Hello! looking for some advice/information. My daughter who is now 13 years old got her results from her MRI. She has a bulging disc, degenerative disc disease and one other issue at her S1 partially lumberized.
My question is, since she’s so young what have you seen they’ve done for someone this young? I’m not going to really get any information or answers for a few months due to the pediatric orthopedic and neurosurgeon specialist being so booked.
I’m just really worried about my daughter and do not know anything about the diagnosis of “disc disease” in a teen.
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@aightjess
Sorry to hear. I have this but in my 50s.
Is your daughter in sports, dance or gymnastics? Has she done something to cause her disc to bulge (excessive or repetitive movement/stress)?
The S1 being lumbarized (sometimes called a transitional S1) is a congenital condition and can cause instability in the spine and pain. Degenerative disc disease could be genetic. You may want some additional bloodwork to see if she has any connective tissue or autoimmune issues (can start with pediatrician but they may refer you to a pediatric rheumatologist).
Most likely the orthopedic doctor will start with conservative treatment since she is so young to see if symptoms improve. You will most likely want to monitor her spine as she continues to develop.
First, I would immediately get a second opinion. I'm 67 with DDD and if she has it she's in for a lifetime of agony and wheelchairs, walkers, etc. I have never heard of somone so young having this...there must be something underlying this "symptom".
And as far as a bulging disc in someone so young...guessing she had an accident? Find someone who will explore non-surgical treatments like traction. We no longer hear about traction much because it takes too much time (weeks in bed) and I'm also guessing there isn't much profit in having a patient at home in bed.
Juvenile Disc Disease is a common ailment among teens with back pain. Here is a site that may help provide more insight into the disease and treatment options.
https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/juvenile-disc-disorder,
https://www.healio.com/news/orthopedics/20120331/ddd-common-in-adolescents-with-persistent-low-back-pain