What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that attacks joints in your spine. In most cases, healthcare providers refer to it as axial spondyloarthritis.

AS also includes your sacroiliac joints, which are areas where the base of your spine meets your pelvis. In fact, they are the part of the connection between your spine and pelvis. They represent the point where the sacrum, which is the triangular end or the last part of the spine, meets the ilium, the side and upper back area of the pelvis.

You have the largest sacroiliac joints in your body and use them each time you move or shift your hips.

Rarely, other joints may be involved with ankylosing spondylitis. These include:

This disease causes pain, stiffness, and GI symptoms. It is a good idea to see a health care provider if you have lower back pain - especially if it is worsening or keeps you from all your usual activities.

What symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis?

Everyone with ankylosing spondylitis has a unique set of symptoms. Lower back pain from sacroiliitis-that is, painful inflammation in your sacroiliac joints-is the most common AS symptom.

The pain may radiate. You may also have other types of pain, including:

Hip pain.
Pain in your butt (buttocks).
Neck pain.
Abdominal (stomach) pain.

Some other ankylosing spondylitis symptoms may include:

Stiffness or trouble moving your hips and lower back (especially when you first get up in the morning or after you've been still for a long time).
Frequent fatigue.
Shortness of breath, or difficulty getting enough air.
Loss of appetite. Unintentional weight loss.
Diarrhea
Rashes on your skin.
Vision problems.

What causes ankylosing spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders are caused by your immune system attacking your body instead of defending your body.

Experts are not really sure what causes ankylosing spondylitis. Researchers believe that certain genetic mutations are associated with the development of AS. Genetic mutations refer to changes in your DNA sequence that occurs when your cells multiply to make copies of them.

Over 60 mutated genes can cause AS. The human leukocyte antigen-B (HLA-B27) gene is one example. A person who has the mutated HLA-B27 gene has the risk of developing AS at a high of more than 90% if he or she is a white person.

What are the risk factors for Ankylosing spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis does not discriminate. However, there are groups of people likely to have the condition. They include:

Those below 40 years (over 80% of patients diagnosed when the individual is about 30 years).
Those assigned male at birth (AMAB).
Those who have a close biological family member with AS, especially a biological parent.

Those with specific health issues are more at risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis, such as:

Crohn's.
Ulcerative colitis.
Psoriasis.

What are some of the complications of ankylosing spondylitis?

Spinal fractures: An individual with ankylosing spondylitis is at a risk of broken bones in your spine. Other complications may include:

Vertebrae fusion, which implies that bones in your backbone fuse together.
Kyphosis, meaning that your backbone bends forward.
Osteoporosis.
Eye and vision disorders like uveitis or even sensitivity to light.
Heart diseases, including aortitis, arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy.
Damage to the nerves.

How are patients with ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed?

An ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis is typically made during a physical exam from a healthcare provider. They will assess your body and speak with you about your symptoms. Inform your provider about when you first began experiencing pain or other symptoms and any time of day or activity that worsens them.

You may be referred to a rheumatologist, a medical professional specializing in the treatment of arthritis and related disorders.

What tests do healthcare providers use to diagnose ankylosing spondylitis?

There is no single test that will determine once and for all whether you have AS. Your care provider will attempt to make a diagnosis using a combination of several tests, such as:

X-rays of the sacroiliac joint and spine, checking for signs of arthritis.
MRI-this will show more than X-rays.
Blood test for the mutated form of the HLA-B27 gene.

How is ankylosing spondylitis treated?

Your doctor can help you better manage your symptoms and minimize the impact on your lifestyle.

Treatments most commonly prescribed for patients with ankylosing spondylitis include:

Exercise: Regular exercise can help to reduce stiffness and potentially halt disease progress. Many sufferers worsen when they do not exercise. A physiotherapist can advise on specific exercises to improve the strength of muscles that back and support the spine.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, reduce the pain and inflammation. You should discuss with your provider the use of NSAIDs for more than 10 days consecutively
Biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs): These are prescription medications which reduce inflammation and pain. They can also halt the progression of AS.
Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids are prescription medications that are anti-inflammatory in nature. You may need to take cortisone shots (an injection of corticosteroids directly into your aching joints).
Surgery: In most cases, surgery is not necessary for AS treatment. Your doctor will only consider it as an option if you have particularly severe symptoms that do not tend to respond even to all other forms of treatments.

How quickly will I get better?

You should start feeling better within a few weeks of starting your treatment. Your symptoms probably will not go away, but you should start to notice them decrease as you determine which treatments work best for you. Ask your provider how long it may be before you feel better. Exercise and physical therapy are an acquired process, and medicine can take weeks, months, or even years to kick in.

What do I expect if I have ankylosing spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic illness, meaning that, generally, a person has it for life. You're likely to experience symptoms for many years-potentially for the rest of your life. Some people with AS have periods of remission, when they experience fewer or milder symptoms. Even if you've not felt symptoms in months or even years, they can begin again.

There is no cure for AS - or for any other form of arthritis - but that doesn't mean you have to live in pain. Discuss your feelings with your provider. Let them know how much your symptoms are impairing your ability to do what you love to do.

Living With

How do I take care of myself?

In addition to following you’re AS treatment, there are some things you can do to reduce body inflammation and stress on your joints:

Follow a healthy diet and exercise plan that's good for you.
Reduce how much alcohol you drink.
Stop smoking.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

If you have new symptoms, or your symptoms are getting worse, be sure to visit your healthcare provider. If, over time, it seems like your treatments are not working as well for controlling your symptoms, talk with your provider.

Seek a healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Chest pain.
Troubleshooting breathing.
Vision problems.
Serious back pain or other joint pain.
Your spine feels stiff and rigid.
Unexplained weight loss.

Why Choose Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital offers advanced Ankylosing Spondylitis treatment in Lucknow, India, at an affordable cost. We have a team of experienced rheumatologists and spine specialists who provide accurate diagnosis with advanced imaging and clinical evaluation, personalized medical care, and both medication and physiotherapy-based treatment options. Our Rheumatology and Spine Care team has decades of experience in successfully treating Ankylosing Spondylitis in Lucknow, India.