Ankylosing Spondylitis is a pain in the spine!

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of progressive arthritis due to chronic inflammation of the joints in the spine. An overall symptom of this disorder is an inflammation of the sacroiliac (SI) joints, where the spine joins the pelvis.

In some people, ankylosing spondylitis can affect joints outside of the spine, like the shoulders, ribs, hips, knees, and feet. It can also affect sites where the tendons and ligaments attach to the bones. It is possible that it can affect other organs, such as the eyes, bowel, and—more rarely—the heart and lungs.

Although many people with ankylosing spondylitis have mild episodes of back pain that come and go, others have severe, ongoing pain accompanied by loss of flexibility of the spine. In the most severe cases, long-term inflammation leads to calcification that causes two or more bones of the spine to fuse. Fusion can also stiffen the rib cage, resulting in restricted lung capacity and function.

Arthritis Center of Nebraska can help you battle ankylosing spondylitis!

At Arthritis Center of Nebraska, we’re dedicated to keeping arthritis-related disorders like ankylosing spondylitis from limiting your mobility and enjoyment of life. We are fully staffed and equipped to diagnose Ankylosing spondylitis, and offer the latest, most advanced treatments to battle this painful disorder. Our on-site and certified laboratory means you can often receive test results during your appointment, for greater peace of mind.