Table of Contents
What is AS?
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) Spondylitis is when there is inflammation between the different joints in your spine.
As the inflammation calms down, calcium deposits are left behind between the
bone which make up your spine (vertebrae). The calcium hardened and turns
into bone and reduces the space between each vertebrae making you less
flexible. In the long term the calcium deposits build up making even more
bone and as a result vertebrae link up and fuse with other bones next to
them. This is called ankylosis and is the something that can be seen on
X-Rays.
Ankylosing spondylitis usually starts between the lower back and pelvis. As
AS progresses it can spread up towards your neck. It also has been known to
affect other areas of the body including other joints in the arms and legs
and also can cause eye problems.
What are the symptoms of Everyone’s symptoms are slightly different. Some people may hardly notice
anything is different. If your symptoms are on the more severe side it can
have a big affect on doing normal daily activities.
Spotting the Symptoms of Ankylosing spondylitis
Early signs and related conditions to look out for in ankylosing
spondylitis:
Early morning pain and stiffness around the low back which gradually eases
throughout the day or is helped with exercise.
Pain where the base of your spine meets your pelvis. The condition is often
mistaken here for simple back ache. Pain and stiffness for more than 30
minutes in the mornings helps differentiate from ankylosing spondylitis
Symptoms may occur after you’ve rested or may wake you up in the night.
Pain in the shoulder, neck, thigh or hip pain, which is often worse after
not moving for a prolonged period of time, for example if you work at a
desk, and can be bad at night. Some people also have pain, stiffness and
swelling in their knees, ankles, or in their hands and feet. Some people,
especially in the young and teenagers, the initial signs may be in the hip
or knee rather than the back.
Other possible and related symptoms include:
Plantar fasciitis.
chest pain that comes on gradually.. Caused from stiffening of the Thoracic
region of your spine and you may feel short of breath after even gentle
activity.
Red (bloodshot), watery and painful eyes cause from inflammation.(If you
have this symptom, it’s important to get medical help.
Those with ankylosing spondylitis can develop bowel disorders known as
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or colitis.
Who gets ankylosing spondylitis (AS)?
It’s thought that ankylosing spondylitis generally affects more men than
women, it’s possible this could be a result of women being undiagnosed in
the past. It is known that AS often starts in your late teens or 20s with
the average age of 24.
A genetic link can play a part. Genes you inherit from your parents may make
you more pre-disposed to develop AS, but the condition isn’t directly passed
on.
Most people with ankylosing spondylitis have a gene called HLA-B27, which
can be detected by a blood test. This gene isn’t the cause of ankylosing
spondylitis but it does contribute to it. Having this gene doesn’t mean
you’ll definitely get AS, and the blood test isn’t very useful in diagnosing
the condition. Usually physical presentation which can be assessed by a
Doctor or physiotherapist, combined with further scans, helps correctly
diagnose the condition.
Article Courtesy of John Doyle at Synergy Physio
