Rick Sasso, MD

Ankylosing Spondylitis is defined as a chronic inflammatory disease which primarily affects the sacroiliac joints, spine and hip joints. (The sacroiliac joints are the joints where the spine attaches to the pelvis.)  With ankylosing spondylitis the inflammation of these joints can lead to the bony fusion of the joints.  A bony fusion is where the fibrous ligament transforms to bone – then these joints permanently grow or fuse together. 

Ankylosing spondylitis is more common in young adult men, and once developed lasts their lifetime.  The cause of ankylosing spondylitis is unknown but studies have shown a strong link with a specific genetic marker.  In blood tests of individuals diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis 90 percent of them had the genetic marker HLA-B27.

One of the most common and first symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis is lower back pain and stiffness.  And unlike lower back pain caused by over-exertion or another type of injury that will subside with rest, with ankylosing spondylitis the lower back pain may get worse after rest.  Another common symptom of ankylosing spondylitis, is sacroilitis.  This is where there is inflammation of the sacroiliac joint, the joint that connects the spine to the pelvis, and this inflammation results in pain in the buttocks that may radiate down the thighs, but not below the knees.   

Once diagnosed, at this time, there is no treatment to prevent the progression of ankylosing spondylitis.  Treatment focuses on minimizing the symptoms of lower back pain, and may include exercise/physical therapy and medications.