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Ankylosing Spondylitis

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Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that affects the spine. Healthcare providers may refer to it as axial spondyloarthritis. It also affects the sacroiliac joints, which connect the sacrum to the pelvis. The sacroiliac joints connect your spine and pelvis. They’re located where the sacrum (the triangle-shaped last segment of your spine) meets the ilium (the top and back of your pelvis). The sacroiliac joints are some of your body’s largest joints, and you use them whenever you move or shift your hips.

Symptoms

Everyone with ankylosing spondylitis has a distinct set of symptoms. The most prevalent symptom is lower back discomfort due to sacroiliitis, a painful inflammation of the sacroiliac joints. The pain may spread (radiate). You may suffer other sorts of pain, including:

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

Causes

Causes of ankylosing spondylitis include:

  • Genetics
  • Autoimmune response
  • Infections
  • Environmental factors
  • Family history

Diagnosis

Ankylosing spondylitis is diagnosed through a physical examination by a healthcare provider. They will examine your body and discuss your symptoms. There is no single test that can definitively diagnose AS. Your provider may employ a few tests to diagnose it, including:

  • X-rays of the sacroiliac joint and spine are performed to detect arthritis.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide more detail than X-rays.
  • Blood tests to detect the mutated HLA-B27 gene.

Prevention

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. While there is no known way to prevent AS completely, especially in genetically predisposed individuals, early management and lifestyle measures can help reduce its impact and slow progression.

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