DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am in my late 50s and have started having stiffness in my back. I have become much less flexible and sometimes even have a hard time looking over my shoulder. I remember my grandparents complaining about arthritis in their knees and hands — and the pain they had later in life. Could I be developing arthritis in my spine? Is there anything I can do?
ANSWER: Arthritis is a condition that can develop in the spine. Over time, the cartilage in joints can break down and cause swelling and tenderness. It's common in the joints used daily, such as the hands and knees, but it also can affect other areas of the body.
The spine is comprised of 33 bones stacked one over the other, like LEGO blocks, connected by three different joints. Arthritis can affect various joints in the body that are load-bearing and where movement occurs, including the spine.
