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Serious severity
· Orthopedics
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Inflammatory spine arthritis
A long-term inflammatory arthritis that mainly affects the spine, causing stiffness and pain that can fuse the vertebrae if untreated.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- Often young adult men
- Typical age
- Late teens to 30s
- Outlook
- Manageable; early care matters
- System
- Bones
Reviewed by a verified Orthopedics doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Strong genetic link (HLA-B27)
- Family history
- Immune system attacking the spine
- Male sex
- Young adult onset
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Gradual low-back pain and stiffness
- Worse in the morning and with rest
- Better with exercise
- Pain in hips or buttocks
- Reduced spine flexibility over time
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Daily stretching and posture exercise
- NSAIDs for pain and stiffness
- Biologic medicines for active disease
- Physiotherapy
- Regular rheumatology review
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Exercise the spine daily
- Maintain upright posture
- Stop smoking
- Get early specialist care
Do’s
- Do daily back and posture exercises
- Keep active even when stiff
- Follow the medication plan
- Sleep on a firm, flat surface
Don’ts
- Rest the back completely
- Smoke (worsens the disease)
- Delay treatment for back stiffness
- Ignore eye redness or pain
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
See all orthopedics doctors Top 4 doctors for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ranked by patient rating, years of experience and review volume. All verified by MediConsult’s clinical team.
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.