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Ankylosing spondylitis (pronounced ankle-o-sing spawn-dill-eye-tis), or AS for short, is more than just chronic back pain. AS is a type of arthritis, or inflammation of the joints, that usually involves the spine. Sometimes, other joints such as those in the hip, knees, or shoulders, and other body parts such as the eye are affected.
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People with AS may also have other related health conditions. These can include: acute anterior uveitis (or simply iritis) - a chronic eye inflammation that can cause blurred vision, eye pain and redness, and sensitivity to light psoriasis - a non-contagious inflammatory skin condition that causes a red patchy, scaly skin rash covered in silvery scales that can be painful or itchy inflammatory bowel disease - two medical conditions that affect the digestive system, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, causing bowel inflammation, sores, bleeding, and scarring of the digestive system.
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The main symptom of ankylosing spondylitis is back pain and stiffness. The pain usually starts in the lower back or buttock (or the sacroiliac joints, made up of the joints between the base of the spine and the pelvis). This usually dull pain may spread up to the shoulders or neck or down to the thighs.
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Your doctor will determine if you have ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by performing a physical examination, taking a detailed history of your symptoms, medical history, and family history, and looking at the results of lab tests and X-rays. In the physical examination, your doctor will look for the sites of inflammation and tenderness along your back, pelvic bones, chest, buttocks, and heels.
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Ankylosing spondylitis is a progressive disease, meaning it worsens as time passes. Eventually, AS can cause joint damage and disability. Often, people may experience remission (a period free of AS symptoms), but the symptoms return (called "flares") and cause acute pain. Early diagnosis and treatment can decrease the chances of disability or deformity.
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