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At what age does degenerative disc disease usually start? Understanding the Timeline

According to a study published in the *American Journal of Neuroradiology*, 37% of people show signs of disc degeneration on imaging by age 20, even if they have no pain. This wear-and-tear process, known as degenerative disc disease, can start in young adulthood and progresses with age, though symptomatic pain varies significantly from person to person.