Experiences with

Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a long-term condition in which the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed.

AS tends to first develop in teenagers and young adults. It's also around 2 times more common in men than in women.

Coronavirus advice

Get advice about coronavirus and ankylosing spondylitis from the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society

Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis

The symptoms of AS can vary, but usually involve:

  • back pain and stiffness
  • pain and swelling in other parts of the body – caused by inflammation of the joints (arthritis) and inflammation where a tendon joins a bone (enthesitis)
  • extreme tiredness (fatigue)

These symptoms tend to develop gradually, usually over several months or years, and may come and go over time.

In some people the condition gets better with time, but for others it can get slowly worse.

Read about symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis.

When to seek medical advice

You should see your GP if you have persistent symptoms of AS.

If your GP thinks you may have the condition, they should refer you to a specialist in conditions affecting muscles and joints (rheumatologist) for further tests and any necessary treatment.

Further tests may include blood tests and imaging tests.

Read about diagnosing ankylosing spondylitis.

Causes of ankylosing spondylitis

It's not known what causes the condition, but there's thought to be a link with a particular gene known as HLA-B27.

Read about the causes of ankylosing spondylitis.

Treating ankylosing spondylitis

There's no cure for AS and it's not possible to reverse the damage caused by the condition. However, treatment is available to relieve the symptoms and help prevent or delay its progression.

In most cases treatment involves a combination of:

  • exercises carried out individually or in groups to reduce pain and stiffness
  • physiotherapy – where physical methods, such as massage and manipulation, are used to improve comfort and spinal flexibility
  • medicine to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation– such as painkillers, anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) medication and other forms of biological therapy

Surgery is sometimes needed to repair significantly damaged joints or correct severe bends in the spine, but this is uncommon.

Read about treating ankylosing spondylitis.

Complications of ankylosing spondylitis

The outlook for AS is highly variable. For some people the condition improves after an initial period of inflammation, whereas for others it can get progressively worse over time.

Some people with AS are able to remain fully independent or minimally disabled in the long-term.

However, some people eventually become severely disabled as a result of the bones in their spine fusing in a fixed position and damage to other joints, such as the hips or knees.

With modern treatments, AS does not normally affect life expectancy significantly, although the condition is associated with an increased risk of other potentially life-threatening problems.

For example, AS can lead to:

Read about the complications of ankylosing spondylitis.

Living with AS

The National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS) has information on living with ankylosing spondylitis, including advice on working, travelling and driving.

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

254 public posts

Spondylitis

Morning you lovely lot..I've got a couple questions (sorry) Firstly is spondylitis the same as Ankylosing spondylitis? Secondly is spondylitis an autoimmune disease?
in LUPUS UK

stabbing pain in chest

I have also been diagnosed with mild ankylosing spondylitis. Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks
in British Heart Foundation

Covid 19 vaccine

spondylitis which is also an autoimmune condition.
in Thyroid UK
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Does this look like Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Hi, I'm going to see a rheumatologist tomorrow, after waiting a month short of a year to see them, about muscle & rash problems. In the intervening time, on an improved diet, my rashes have abated to just an itch (facial & vaginal) but the muscle pain is as bad as ever. Today, while getting stuff together
in NRAS

Found this info while doing some research..Etanercept

It is a large molecule, with a molecular weight of 150 kDa, that binds to TNFα and decreases its role in disorders involving excess inflammation in humans and other animals, including autoimmune diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis,[7] juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis,
in PMRGCAuk

Cosentyx side effects

I have ankylosing spondylitis which was treated with Humira for two years but was stopped due to a thankfully brief and successful battle with colorectal cancer.
in NRAS

Lower back pain

My doctors say They can feel my back muscles are tight, but could it be ankylosing spondylitis? I’m terrified of ankylosing spondylitis. I am homeschooled so I work at the desk a lot.
in Pain Concern

Psoriasis... Psoriatic arthritis..... Ankylosing spondylitis..... Please help

I've been diagnosed with eczema all my life, however last month I got diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, shortly after this I had the worst flare of "eczema" on my hands and wrists that I've ever had. I went to see my rheumatologist last week who has now said it isn't eczema it's psoriasis..
in Beyond Psoriasis

Stuck in a nightmare

I have ankylosing spondylitis, I have a state certification that protects me from some things (I am Italian), and I am being treated with in Benepali. Due to a case of coronavirus in my class I was forced to report my condition to the school doctor. From there my nightmare began.
in NRAS

Crushing ribcage pain

Conditions it seems to mirror are Costochondritis or Ankylosing spondylitis. I have arrived at this by my own research. The last 3 months l developed swelling and loss of function in both my thumb joints. They have also developed a sort of lump and appear more boney.
in Osteoarthritis Action

Do you have 20 minutes for a survey on back pain? As an AS sufferer myself I'd like to understand how others often deal with it.

I was recently diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) but had been living with it for a decade, and have managed to deal with back pain on my own way. I would like to learn how others do it. Please let me know by email (xenoach at gmaildotcom) if you would be interested in talking more.
in NRAS

ankylosing spondylitis and oestoarthritis

hello# heatlthub I have been, suffering with the above many years, now, were it is affecting me from top to toe, and not well basically nil info, from my gps, is any of my conditions class me with disabilities or disabled, as getting to look after my self now is ,I do not socialise or let my flat for
in Osteoarthritis Action

Anybody living with ankylosing spondylitis pain? Need coping advice.

I had written about my ankylosing spondylitis a few weeks back and someone responded back saying their husband has been living with it for years.
in Foggy's "Invisible Illness" Support

Am I to self isolate - had no letter

Hi all x I’m 45 & have ankylosing spondylitis,I self inject once a week with benapali & im not sure if I should be self isolating? I’m not sure but does anyone know if the benapali is an immuno suppressant or immune modifier?
in NRAS

could be Sulphasalazine reason for the liver cirrhosis

spondylitis since for 25 years .
in British Liver Trust

No pain but tightness?

I get my bloods done every 3 months or so as I am on various meds for long-standing ankylosing spondylitis which I’ve had since I was around 8 years of age. I’m 52 now. I had a raised alt level in March and June’s test was normal but the most recent one is slightly raised again.
in Living with Fatty Liver and NASH

Tea for me

Wants an up to date MRI as last one taken in August showed Ankylosing spondylitis and cervical spondylosis heading towards their predicted paralysing grip on his spine. Consultant realizes his spine has degenerated far quicker than expected and now needs to operate.
in Fibromyalgia Action UK

Covid -19 and Autoimmune diseases

These include the following -Graves Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, POTS, MCAD, Sjogren's, Scleroderma, Hashimoto Disease, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Sarcoidosis, Hepatitis, Raynauld's Syndrome, Diabetes, Mold Illness, Celiac, CROHN’S, Ulcerative Colitis, Pemphigus, SPS, MS, PBC, Antiphospolipid
in NRAS

Methotrexate

My mother has Ankylosing spondylitis, since her teens from an accident she now has developed another pscoriaic arthritis. She has now been put on methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and prednisone.
in NRAS

Talia Dean: 'My back pain was misdiagnosed for 15 years - now I can't dance'

"For reasons that aren't completely understood at the moment, if you look at the percentage of people who've got ankylosing spondylitis - they've got the bony formation and the joint damage - two-thirds are men and one-third is women."
lupus-support1Administrator
in LUpus Patients Understanding and Support
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