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Ankylosing Spondylitis
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Information - Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic type of arthritis that affects the lower back. While the cause of AS isn’t known, it occurs when the immune system attacks the back, causing inflammation and resulting in pain and stiffness. Similarly to osteoarthritis, the body attempts to repair your lower back by growing new bone, which often grows across the joint and may even become fused.
Ankylosing Spondylitis Symptoms
Ankylosing spondylitus affects about one in a thousand people. It runs in families, and it is associated with certain genes, such as HLAB27, which is the most common gene in ankylosing spondylitus. It typically occurs in men between the ages of 20 to 30, but also occurs in women and children. Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms include pain and stiffness in the joints in the lower back, spine, hips, knees, shoulders, ligaments and tendons. It can be worse in the morning, causing 30 to 60 minutes of stiffness in the spine. Some people experience inflammation of the tendons of the heels, feet or eyes. Over time, the inflammation can cause permanent damage to the joints.
Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment
If you’re diagnosed with AS, your physician will likely refer you to a rheumatologist. Ankylosing spondylitis treatments include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologics. Physical therapy and low-impact exercise can also be effective in keeping the spine flexible and the joints mobile. A physiotherapist can help show you what exercises to do and what you can do to keep your spine straight.
Range of movement exercises such as yoga and tai chi can also be beneficial. In severe cases where the spine is fused flexed forward, there are some surgical solutions to help maintain the erect posture. Since having AS is linked to heart disease, it’s important to monitor and/or lower your cholesterol and blood pressure. Early diagnosis and treatment of ankylosing spondylosis is important to control your stiffness and pain, and it may prevent deformity in the future.
Talk to your rheumatologist if you'd like more information on ankylosing spondylitis.
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Similarly to osteoarthritis, if you have ankylosing spondylitis the body attempts to repair your lower back by growing new bone, which often grows across the joint and may even become fused.
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Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms include pain and stiffness in the joints in the lower back, spine, hips, knees, shoulders, ligaments and tendons.
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Over time, the inflammation from ankylosing spondylitis can cause permanent damage to the joints.
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Ankylosing spondylitis treatments include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologics.
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Since having AS is linked to heart disease, it’s important to monitor and/or lower your cholesterol and blood pressure.