Q I’ve been diagnosed as having too much calcium around my spine. What causes this?

ADiffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH) produces hard, calcified bone-like deposits in soft tissues. It’s also known as Forestier’s disease and is more common with age, and in men, but the cause isn’t known.

DISH affects ligaments and sometimes tendons and other tissues around joints, and particularly targets the spine, especially in the chest region. But it can affect the ligaments up and down any part of the neck and lower spine, and other body areas, including elbows, knees, heels and hips. Complications, such as pressure on nerves inside the spinal cord, gullet (swallowing) and/or larynx (hoarseness) are much rarer.

Over a quarter of us may develop DISH, often without symptoms, although these can overlap or coexist with osteoarthritis, bone-thinning osteoporosis and ankylosing spondylitis. So blood tests, X-rays or CT/MR scans may be needed to rule these out and confirm it’s DISH. Pain and stiffness can be treated with painkillers and/or physiotherapy. It’s also worth thinking about Pilates, yoga or Tai Chi to help you stay mobile/flexible into old age.