Hellsbrink..Im a non commercial pilot and medical
your age is too young for osteoarthritis. In relation to your back, I hope your weight and spinal fitness is optimal.
Its proper that you deal with a rheumatologist.
Make sure an anti CCP has been done..if you are getting swelling you have an inflammatory arthritis.
You probably have a seronegative arthritis ie rheumatoid facor negative.
The list includes ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis arthritis, arthritis from chronic inflammatory bowel disease, immume disease, pseudogout,immune complex arthritis and arthritis relating to hepatitis and nephritis.
In these situations the rheumatologists may try drugs like plaquenil to dampen down the pain.