Can rheumatoid arthritis cause back pain?

Tessann

I have been experiencing lower back pain during the night and in the morning - it improves somewhat after a shower etc. My matress is good and I now wonder if this is linked to the RA. Any thoughts.

Louisa77

Hi @Tessann

Welcome to our community, great to have you onboard and I'm sure you will see what a friendly bunch we are :)

We have lots of information about rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the treatment options available.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/

It would be worth mentioning this to your rheumatology team/GP as it may depend what specific joints/area of the body that is affected by your RA.

I thought I'd share a little about Back pain | Causes, exercises, treatments | Versus Arthritis and Five ways to help manage back pain | Versus Arthritis in the hope it will be helpful.

All the best and please keep posting

Louisa

stickywicket

I don't think so. Mine never has done BUT other inflammatory forms of arthritis can and sometimes diagnoses change as the picture becomes clearer. Check it out with your rheumatology helpline.

Tessann

Thank you - I'll follow up on exercises and mention it in my next review

Jack19972

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/60314/can-rheumatoid-arthritis-cause-back-pain

Hi yes it can I have rheumatoid arthritis all over my body.

jamieA

Hi @Tessann

I have psoriatic arthritis and get right lower back pain - below my waistline - which my consultant told me is because the PsA is affecting my sacroiliac joint - the joint between the base of the spine and the pelvis. During the diagnosis of my PsA I was given an MRI scan of my lower back and that showed deterioration of the joint and was one of the factors in moving me onto biologics. From what I've read RA can also cause sacroiliac joint issues. I've been prescribed lidocaine patches for when it's painful and find they help significantly.

https://www.arthritis-health.com/blog/types-arthritis-cause-sacroiliac-joint-pain