A form of arthritis that impacts the spine, ankylosing spondylitis occurs when your vertebrae (the bones that form your spinal column) become inflamed and begin to fuse together. Often occurring in the lower back (lumbar region), the condition may also develop in your sacroiliac joints, which are located where your spine meets your pelvis. Lacking proper treatment, ankylosing spondylitis may cause mild to severe pain as well as limited mobility.
Speak with an orthopedic expert about ankylosing spondylitis.
Signs and Symptoms
The most common symptom of ankylosing spondylitis is pain around the affected area that radiates to other parts of the body, such as your hip, buttocks, neck and stomach.
Additional symptoms include the following.
- Stiffness in the back and hips
- Stooped posture
- Weakened bones
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden weight loss
- Vision impairment
- Gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea
Because advanced cases of ankylosing spondylitis cause your vertebrae to fuse together, pressure may be felt in other areas of your body, including your chest, where breathing and blood flow could become restricted. Although primarily a spinal condition, rare cases of ankylosing spondylitis may develop around the shoulders, hips or knees.
Risk Factors and Preventions
While ankylosing spondylitis can happen to anyone, certain factors are known to increase the risk of developing the condition at some point in your life. Factors include the following.
- Age: More than 80% of individuals with ankylosing spondylitis developed the condition before 40.
- Gender: Men have a greater risk for ankylosing spondylitis compared to women.
- Family History: Individuals with a close biological relative who has had ankylosing spondylitis are at greater risk of developing the condition themselves.
- Other Illnesses: Conditions that may increase the risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis including psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
How We Diagnose Ankylosing Spondylitis
Our experts use the following procedures to diagnose ankylosing spondylitis.
- Physical Exam: In most cases, our experts can accurately diagnose ankylosing spondylitis by examining the physical symptoms of the condition.
- X-ray: A common medical imaging procedure, X-rays use radiation to capture colorless images of your bones, joints and soft tissue.
- Blood Test: A blood panel may reveal a mutated HLA-B27 gene, which indicates ankylosing spondylitis. It can also rule out other conditions.
Treatment Options
Our orthopedic experts consider several factors when outlining your treatment plan, including your age, medical history and the severity of your case. For less advanced cases of ankylosing spondylitis, our experts may recommend conservative treatment approaches such as attending physical therapy and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs. Severe cases may require surgery. Speak with an expert about treatment options for ankylosing spondylitis.