- 7/24 Live Call Center
Rheumatology treats musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases, including arthritis, lupus, gout, and vasculitis.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease that primarily affects the joints and ligaments of the spine. It causes persistent pain and stiffness. In advanced cases, the vertebrae (spine bones) can fuse together, leading to a rigid, inflexible, and sometimes hunched spine.
The name is derived from Greek: “Ankylos” (crooked/stiffened), “Spondylos” (vertebra), and “Itis” (inflammation), meaning inflammation and stiffening of the spine. AS is classified under the group of diseases known as spondyloarthropathies.
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is an autoimmune inflammatory arthritis where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues, mainly in the spine and pelvis. The condition usually starts with inflammation in the sacroiliac joints (connecting the spine to the pelvis). A key feature is enthesitis, which is inflammation where tendons and ligaments attach to bone. Over time, chronic inflammation in the spine can lead to bone formation, causing the vertebrae to fuse (ankylosis), resulting in a rigid and inflexible spine. AS is a systemic disease, meaning it can affect other body systems as well.
It is important to understand what AS is and how it differs from other, more common types of back pain.
Often Improves with Movement: Inflammatory back pain typically feels worse after rest or in the morning and improves with exercise.
Ankylosing spondylitis is the classic and most well-known disease within the group of spondyloarthropathies (SpA). This family of rheumatic diseases shares genetic factors (like the presence of the $HLA-B27$ gene) and clinical features.
Other main categories within this group include:
While best known for affecting the bones and joints, Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a systemic disease that can impact other organ systems. Managing these related effects is a crucial part of the overall clinical care.
AS is medically important because it is a major cause of disability in young adults (under 45). Early diagnosis is crucial, as treatments (like biologics) can halt disease progression and prevent permanent spinal fusion. AS research also advances the understanding of autoimmune diseases, especially due to its strong link with the $HLA-B27$ gene. Effective care requires a coordinated team of specialists (rheumatologists, etc.)
The primary medical subspecialty that manages ankylosing spondylitis is Rheumatology. Rheumatologists are internal medicine specialists who focus on diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones, particularly those related to inflammation or the immune system.
However, several other areas of medicine are also crucial for comprehensive AS care:
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
AS typically affects young adults, often beginning in their late teens or twenties. It is more common in men than in women, though it is often underdiagnosed or mistaken for other conditions in women. Genetics plays a strong role, particularly the $HLA-B27$ gene, which is found in a large majority of patients with AS.
No, they are different diseases. Both are types of inflammatory arthritis, but they are distinct. Rheumatoid arthritis typically affects the small joints of the hands and feet symmetrically. AS primarily affects the spine and pelvis. AS is part of the spondyloarthropathy group, while rheumatoid arthritis is its own category.
The most common early sign is chronic pain and stiffness in the lower back and buttocks that has lasted for more than three months. This pain usually feels dull and is worse after periods of rest, such as in the morning or after sitting for a long time. Unlike mechanical back pain, it generally improves with gentle exercise and heat.
Yes, it is classified as an autoimmune-mediated inflammatory disease. This means the immune system, which is supposed to fight off infections, mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy joint tissue, causing the chronic inflammation seen in the spine and other areas.
Currently, there is no known cure for ankylosing spondylitis. However, modern treatments, particularly medications called biologics, can be very effective. They can control the inflammation, relieve pain, stop the spinal fusion process, and allow patients to live full, active lives. Early diagnosis and consistent treatment are essential for the best outcomes.
