My wife just got off the phone with her doc's nurse who just told her she had spinal arthritis. My wife asked to speak with the doc, but as usual he was out to lunch. My wife started having back pain immidiately after having her gall bladder and appendix(spelling?)removed on Jul 10th. She has pain mainly in her lower back, she took numerous tests including x-rays and this is what the doctor is saying she has. Is there such a thing? My wife's age is 32 and she's in decent shape, which makes her ask why she would all of a sudden get this diagnosis - - - -especially right after her gall surgery?
Any advice will help.

[Please note that posting links to other message boards is not permitted here....Thanks, mod3]

[This message has been edited by moderator3 (edited 08-17-2002).]

spinal arthritis is a very common problem, but not so with young people. Osteophytes love to grow in the facet joints causing bone on bone rubbing. Spondylolithesis or spondylosis is the stiffening of the vertebrae. Spinal stenosis also causes arthrtitis, as the space between the vertebrae start to narrow. Check out the back problems discussion and you'll get lots of info there. TC

[This message has been edited by tc128 (edited 08-16-2002).]

I was tying to post a link the American Spondylitis Asssociation. It was a .org web address and I thought they were allowed (?)

Anyway, you may want to do a search for them as their site provides a lot of useful info. It also states that some forms of spinal arthritis is diagnosed when someone is in their 20's and 30's (as are many other arthritis forms).

Best of luck! She will feel better soon!