A little shocked

So as you all probally know this past September me and my husband got into a car accident. Well ever since then I have had really bad back pain. I have always had a little back pain after strenuous days nothing too serious though. After this accident it has been really bad. I have done physical therapy and all that the doc has said... I had xrays done all clear so I had no reason why my back should be hurting so bad. I have been takin vicodin for awhile now and it helps some but still hurts. So Saturday my doc sent me for a MRI to see if there is anthing more serious going on. Well turns out I have Degenerative Joint Disease in my spine. I really dont know what to think about this actually I am a wee bit in shock. I dident expect this at all. She said for my age its pretty bad and I have to get blood work done in the morn to see if they can see any underlying cause. I asked if it coud be from the accident she said probally not but it has definently been worsened and thats why I am in so much pain since the accident. Its almost like kickibg someone with a broken leg. I am a little scared but its not too serious I hope. Its not something that goes away but hopefully something I can learn to manage better. So ya its sucks its scary but its not life threatning so I will be ok.