Ankylosing Spondylitis
DESCRIPTION
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that affects the spine. It is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the axial skeleton, with variable involvement of peripheral joints and non-articular structures. Spondylitis often starts around the sacroiliac joints, where the sacrum (the lowest major part of the spine) joins the ilium bone of the pelvis in the lower back region. The spine 's bones (vertebrae) may grow or fuse together, resulting in a rigid spine. This places the spine in a vulnerable state because it becomes one bone, which causes it to lose its range of motion as well as putting it at risk for spinal fractures. This not only limits mobility but reduces the affected person 's quality of life. These changes may be mild or severe, and may lead to a stooped-over posture. Early diagnosis and treatment helps control pain and stiffness and may reduce or prevent significant deformity. AS can range from mild to progressively debilitating and from medically controlled to refractory forms. Some cases may have times of active inflammation followed by times of remission resulting in minimal disability, while others never have times of remission and have acute inflammation and pain, leading to significant disability.
…show more content…
SYMPTOM
The most common early symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include:
1. Constant pain and stiffness in the low back, buttocks, and hips that continue for more than three months.
2. Stiffness.
3. Bony fusion.
4. Pain in ligaments and tendons.