Age

• According to the Mayo Clinic, although arthritis in the spine is not a normal part of getting older, increased age increases the chance of developing it. Many years of normal use and activity can wear down the cartilage between joints and cause spinal arthritis. Working a strenuous job or participating in vigorous hobbies such as bowling or golf can contribute to arthritis in the spine during old age.
  
  

Heredity

• People with a family history of arthritis may be more likely to get the condition themselves. According to the Mayo Clinic, some inherited conditions such as bone deformities and cartilage disorders may be a cause of arthritis in the spine. In addition, women are more likely to develop arthritis than men.
  
  

Immune Disorders

• According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, disorders of the immune system that result in the body attacking itself may cause a type of arthritis in the spine called rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects pairs of joints, but it can occur in the upper spine and neck area as well. A family history of rheumatoid arthritis can increase the chance of getting the condition, and life changes such as pregnancy can trigger attacks.
  
  

Injuries

• According to the Mayo Clinic, an injury to the spine may cause development of osteoarthritis in the spinal joints as a complication of the trauma. A sudden injury such as an auto accident or fall can cause spinal arthritis, especially in people who have other risk factors for arthritis. Bone conditions such as osteoporosis and gout can cause internal injuries to bones that make spinal arthritis more likely to develop.
  
  

Overweight

• According to the Mayo Clinic, being overweight puts more pressure on the joints than they can handle, and with time this can cause arthritis. Arthritis in the spine in people who are overweight can be worsened by being sedentary and sitting in the same position for a long period of time. People who are overweight are also more likely to get arthritis in other joints, including the knees and hips.
  
  

Psoriasis

• Psoriasis is a long-term skin condition, and it can trigger a type of arthritis referred to as psoriatic arthritis that can affect the joints, including those in the spine. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder and it can be triggered by stress, illnesses and infections. According to the Mayo Clinic, people with a family history of psoriasis are also more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis.