What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis is a multisystem inflammatory disorder which is chronic and affects the joints of the skeleton.

What causes ankylosing spondylitis is not clearly known, other than genetics play a strong roll in who develops ankylosing spondylitis. For example; most patients that develop ankylosing spondylitis usually have ankylosing spondylitis in their family medical history.

The effects of ankylosing spondylitis, as a result of the arthritic conditions, causes a fusing og the spine which causes stiffness and chronic pain along the spine. This results in poor posture with the patient stooped over. However, if ankylosing spondylitis is diagnosed early and treatment begins then the stiffness and pain may reduce – even prevent – the deformity that can occur.

Because ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic disease, symptoms can go beyond the typical swelling of the large limb joints and spine. Those who suffer from the condition can develop fatigue, fever, and dramatic loss of appetite along with eye inflammation as well as some heart and lung disorders.