I "work out" by walking back and forth in a therapeutic pool. When I get up the next morning I do not get that crunch-slam that starts my day. My walking takes a bit over 30 minutes, two of big steps for movement, then two stiff legs to increase resistance, finally two flutter board. These six are one set, I do 10 sets. The water is 1.4 m or chest height.
I do come from a swimming background but this seems to help. The warm water takes the weight off the joints. Bubbles also help you relax. And I am clean after, must shower well to get the hot chlorine off, which causes me itching.

I was told I have DDD and DJD about 15 years ago and that its degenerative and would get worse as I grow older. I was told I would probably be in a chair in 20 years. I started out with a cane and now have to use a wheeled walker if I walk any distance at all. I had to have a super public catheter implanted 2 years ago because I have a neurogenic bladder and couldn't empty my bladder normally. That ended my water therapy and walking is about my only exercise now. I've had 33 major surgeries and am fused at 2 levels in my low back and 2 level in my neck. 2 of the surgeries were the micro laser surgeries at L3 just above the fusions to keep me from having to be fused at that level. So yes it keeps getting worse. Being in constant pain for 20+ years is depressing and I fight my body every day to stay out of that chair. I live alone and on disability. My only reason is for my son who is 27. He only remembers me as disabled. I'm a pain warrior and refuse to give up but it gets harder with each passing day. Especially when now our own government wants to take away our means to any quality of life by taking away our medications and if we complain were labeled drug seekers.

You have balls like basketballs my friend. I have only been diagnosed a year, and am finding this OA very hard to live with. I have it in almost all of my joints, neck, back, hands, feet, knees. Last night I just laid there until after 3am..not cool when I get up for work by 5:30. If I could ask, does diet affect your pain levels? Thanks.

That happened to me after a boating accident. I ended up with 3 levels of lumbar screws and rods and donor bone. If you end up having to do that go with donor bone, it doesn't hurt and recovery time is much less than if they take your own

Water therapy is the best