Diagnosis of AS
History: Individuals typically complain of a gradual onset of low back pain and associated muscle spasms experienced over several months. The pain is usually described as worse in the morning and improving during the day. It may have followed a gradualRead More
Is Ankylosing Spondylitis Hereditary?
Although ankylosing spondylitis causes are unknown, there appears to be a genetic prevalence to the disease (transmitted from parents to children) for most people. Many children with this disease were born displaying a given HLA-B27 gene. However, if thRead More
Spinal Surgery in AS
Introduction: The prevalence of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is estimated to be 0.8% in southern Chinese. However, the number of patients requiring spinal surgery is much less and in fact in declining trend. The exact reason is not certain but is likelyRead More
Effects of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Although other joints can be involved, ankylosing spondylitis (AS) primarily affects the spine. In this particular type of arthritis, the joints and ligaments of the spine become inflamed. This can cause back pain and stiffness. In time, the bones may fRead More
Myths About Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Only Affects the Back No. Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a form of inflammatory, painful arthritis that mainly affects the lower back and spinal joints (vertebrae). However, other joints such as the knee, shoulders, hips, riRead More
Ankylosing Spondylitis (Reactive Arthritis of the Spine)
If your back is stiff and hurts when you move, if it hurts to touch two points at the side of the top of your pelvis where it joins your spine (the sacroiliac joint), and if your back x ray shows signs of this disease, you probably suffer from ankylosinRead More
Ankylosing Spondylitis Overview
How is it treated? Treatment includes exercise and physical therapy. These will help reduce stiffness so that you can stand up straighter and move around better. Your doctor will also give you medicine for pain and swelling. Because people with ankyloRead More
How Is AS Diagnosed?
Most back pain isn’t caused by ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, the symptoms, especially in the early stages, can be very similar to more common back problems. Because of this, many people put up with the pain for some time before seeking help. WRead More
Information Booklet
This booklet is part of a programme for people affected by Ankylosing Spondylitis (AN-kuh-low-sing sponduh-LIE-tis) or AS for short. You may be affected either by having the condition yourself or by knowing somebody who has. At the Ankylosing SpondylitiRead More