Probably the most common cause of back pain, osteoarthritis usually affects older people in their fifties of sixties. It seems to affect women slightly more often then men, and in addition to the joints of the spine usually also affects the knees, hips, hands and feet. To start with there is usually only one joint that suffers but as time goes by osteoarthritis can spread to many parts of the body.

The main symptoms are stiffness and aching which develop as the cartilage between the bones gradually gets thinner and thinner. Eventually the bones end up rubbing on one another.

Osteoarthritis can be caused by excess wear and tear (in which case it is practically indistinguishable from the problems often caused by old age), but it can be inherited and may affect younger adults.