Overview
Ankylosing Spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the spine and sacroiliac joints of unknown etiology. It is more common in men than women. When it affects the spine, it causes the spine to be less flexible and results in hunching over time.Signs and Symptoms
Low back pain worse at night, Stiffness of the back in the morning upon waking up, Pain radiates from sacroiliac joints to the buttocks and hips, Progressive loss of spinal movementsCommon Causes
Unknown causesRisk Factors
Age, Male gender, Genetic factors (HLA-B27 gene), Environmental factorsInvestigation Techniques
Clinical examination of the spine and joints, MRI scan, X-ray of the affected joints, Full blood countTreatment and Prevention
Physiotherapy, NSAIDs, TNF alpha-blockers, Local steroid injections, Surgery
