What Are The Symptoms Of Arthritis?

I am 64 years old and weigh about 165. 5'5". I was diagnosed in 1984 with degenerating disks at the L4 and L5. For years I had sharp stabbing pains in that area and going down the leg - siaticha (sp). Eventually things go better ... and I only had backaches, but no sharp stabbing pain. And finally I had almost no problems. About 4 months ago, I started waking up with horrible pain in the same area, hardly able to get out of bed. I wensed with every move I made. Also had stabbing pain like when the dentist hits a nerve. That would go away in a few seconds. Also had dull ache in general. Eventually as the morning wears on, the back seems to get better for the rest of the day. Takes about 2 hours. I went to the doctor and he sent me to physical therapy. It helps a tiny bit, but not much. I think I need an MRI .. and I think that maybe the back disks have degenerated a little more (piece or something broke off and is not pinching a nerve). Could it just be arthritis?