Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
Also known as Rheumatoid Spondylitis , Spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis is a long-term spinal disease that involves inflammation of the joints between the spinal bones, and the joints between the spine and pelvis.
Symptoms
- The disease starts with low back pain that comes and goes.
- Pain and stiffness are worse at night, in the morning, or when you are not active. They may wake you from sleep.
- The pain typically gets better with activity or exercise.
- Back pain may begin in the sacroiliac joints (between the pelvis and spine). Over time, it may involve all or part of the spine.
- You may lose motion or movement in the lower spine. You may not be able to fully expand your chest because the joints between the ribs are involved.
- Fatigue is also a common symptom.
Other, less common symptoms include:
- Eye swelling or uveitis
- Heel Pain
- Hip pain and stiffness
- Joint pain and joint swelling in the shoulders, knees, and ankles
- Loss of appetite
- Slight fever
- Weight loss
Tests may include:
- CBC
- ESR
- HLA – B27 Antigen
- X-rays
- MRI
Treatment
Your doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce swelling and pain. Surgery may be done if pain or joint damage is severe.
Prepare
Before your appointment, you may want to write a list of answers to the following questions:
- When did you begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- Are your symptoms worse in the morning or after long periods of inactivity?
- What, if anything, seems to worsen or improve your symptoms?
- Have you taken medications to relieve the pain? What helped most?
- Have you seen a Rheumatologist?
- Have you been tested for AS through blood work?
Contact DOCS Health today to schedule a consultation for you or a member of your family.
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Doctors who treat this condition
Unless otherwise indicated, the physician is a member of DOCS Health Medical Group and has medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both. Physicians denoted with an asterisk (*) are independent physicians who are not part of DOCS Health Medical Group, but do have medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both.