I am 24 years old, and I was diagnosed with degenerative joint disease.How quickly does it progress?

I started having extreme pain in my back a few years ago, and I just recently had an MRI and they diagnosed me with degenerative joint disease. How quickly does it progress and what are the treatment options? I am scared and I want to know what to expect short term and long term. I have done some research and it seems like the only treatments are nerve blocker shots and pain pills. Is this something that can be fixed or is it a matter of pain management?