Ankylosing spondylitis history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Manpreet Kaur, MD [2]

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis which is progressive and painful .In ankylosing spondylitis some or all of the joints and bones of the spine fuse together and causes pain and restriction of the movement of the spine.The spinal involvement is more extensive in ankylosing spondylitis (AS).Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms can range from back pain and stiffness and in long term it can lead to disability.Although cause of ankylosing spondylitis is unknown but mostly it is associated with genetic marker called HLA-B27.

Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include chronic dull pain in the lower back, stiffness of the lower back, decreased mobility of the spine and chest expansion.

Patients with ankylosing spondylitis may have a positive history of:^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

• Inflammatory back pain due to:
  • Sacroiliitis
  • Axial arthritis of the spine
• Peripheral arthritis
• Enthesitis
• Anterior uveitis

Common symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include:

• Referred pain to one or the other buttock or to the back of the thigh from the sacroiliac joint

• Hip pain upon waking especially in the morning
• Back pain relieved by movement
• Difficulty flexing the spine due to fusion of the spine
• Difficulty taking a deep breath due to decreased chest expansion
• Swelling of knees

Less common symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include:

• Redness
• Floaters
• Sensitivity to light
• Inflammation of the prostate

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