Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack its own tissues, especially the lining of joints, leading to joint damage and pain.
When RA attacks the cervical spine located at the top of the spinal cord, forming the neck, it can cause neck and upper back pain.
Pain in the middle or low back is not typically part of RA, but having RA may make you more prone to developing low back pain as a separate condition.1
Treatment for back pain in those with RA is aimed at relieving pain and reducing inflammation that may be contributing to the discomfort. Surgery is sometimes recommended to prevent damaged and unstable vertebrae—the bones of the spine—from putting pressure on nerves located in the neck.2
