I stand corrected (and cannot find my source); I should have said arthritis can be (and often is) a contributing factor.
http://www.ehow.com/about_4762263_de...arthritis.html

The arthropathy and description of symptoms also had me thinking along those lines.

I would start reading up on it (arthritis) and some of the other terms being bandied about here so you can discuss them in an informed way with your doctors.

The degeneration can't be stopped in the way aging/getting older can't be stopped. It's gonna happen, but there are many factors in play (genetics, injuries, how well you care for yourself, etc.) so it's not like there isn't anything that can be done. Eating right, exercise, moderation, and maybe some prophylactic supplement like glucosamine/chondroitin/msm may help stave things off. This won't (or shouldn't) shorten your lifespan.

Medical reports are interpretations, which means they're somewhat subjective (another doctor/technician might interpret "severe" as "moderate" or vice versa). Also, conditions don't affect people the same way. Two guys just like you could have similar imaging, and identical interpretations, yet one of them is in a lot of pain and the other functions just fine, and well into old age. My point is, don't let the reports and language (which can mean different things to doctors than to us peons) psyche you out. How you feel -- and your attitude -- means more than what's on that piece of paper.

Listen to what the doctors say, ask questions, and do your own homework. Some of this may be helped more than you think by physical therapy, especially if you can find a therapist worth their salt (1/2 of all therapists, like 1/2 of all doctors, are below average. ) Some of this can, and may, heal in time. The body has some remarkable abilities in that area if you listen to it and let it.

Doc