Also called: Rheumatoid spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of
arthritis of the spine. It causes swelling between your vertebrae, which are the disks that make up your spine, and in the joints between your spine and pelvis. Ankylosing spondylitis is an
immune disease. The disease is more common and more severe in men. It often runs in families.
Early symptoms include back pain and stiffness. These problems often start in late adolescence or early adulthood. Over time, ankylosing spondylitis can fuse your vertebrae together, limiting movement. Symptoms can worsen or improve or stop altogether. The disease has no cure, but medicines can relieve the pain, swelling and other symptoms. Exercise can also help.
NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease
National Library of Medicine | National Institutes of Health | Department of Health and Human Services
