Increase text size: A A A

Type in the condition you need,
or visit Advanced Search

Print this page

Email this to a friend

Comment on this page

Save to my Health Library

Johns Hopkins Health Alert

Could Your Pain and Stiffness Be Caused By Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Arthritis | Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis can be hard to diagnose because early symptoms mimic other arthritic conditions.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic rheumatic disease characterized by inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac joints. These joints are located in the lower back where the sacrum (the bone directly above the tailbone of your back) meets the iliac bones (bones on either side of the upper buttocks). Inflammation in these areas (spondylitis) causes pain and stiffness in and around the spine. Eventually, this can lead to a complete fusion of the vertebrae, a process referred to as ankylosis, which in turn leads to loss of spinal mobility. In addition to harming the spine, ankylosing spondylitis can inflame and injure joints in other parts of the body. Ankylosing spondylitis can also damage organs such as the heart and kidneys.

Ankylosing spondylitis is believed to be genetically inherited. The majority of people with this condition (nearly 90%) are born with a gene known as HLA-B27. Not everyone with the HLA-B27 gene gets ankylosing spondylitis, however: 7% of the U.S. population have the HLA-B27 gene, but only 1% of the population actually has ankylosing spondylitis. Researchers believe other conditions, perhaps environmental, are necessary for ankylosing spondylitis to become expressed.

The symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis are caused by inflammation of the spine, joints, and other organs. Symptoms include pain and stiffness in the lower back and the rest of the spine, upper buttocks, and neck. The pain and stiffness usually progress gradually over a matter of months, although onset can be rapid and intense. The pain and stiffness of ankylosing spondylitis are often worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity. These symptoms are sometimes relieved by motion, applied heat, or a warm shower. Other areas of the body affected by inflammation include the kidneys, heart, lungs, and eyes.

In advanced stages, for example, ankylosing spondylitis can lead to deposits of a substance called amyloid in the kidneys, which can cause kidney failure. Dialysis is sometimes needed to clear the kidneys. Rarely, people with ankylosing spondylitis develop scarring of the heart’s electrical system, which causes an abnormally slow heart rate. This requires correction with implantation of a pacemaker.

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Arthritis | Ankylosing Spondylitis

Posted in Arthritis on December 19, 2006
Reviewed July 2009

Notify Me

Would you like us to inform you when we post new Arthritis Health Alerts?

Your Email Address:

Comments

Post a Comment

Health Alerts registered users may post comments and share experiences here at their own discretion. We regret that questions on individual health concerns to the Johns Hopkins editors cannot be answered in this space.

The views expressed here do not constitute medical advice, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins Medicine or MediZine LLC, which has no responsibility for any comments posted on this site.


My father had AS and he lost the use of his legs, his knees would give out, is this from the AS? I am having symptoms of AS. Seems like if I sit for very long I can't get up and get moving for the stiffness and pain. I also retain a lot of fluid around my knees and ankles by the middle of the day, especially if I am on my feet a lot. I am wondering what I can do to prevent it from crippling me? Any suggestions?

Posted by: farmgirl | May 19, 2008



Post a Comment


New to the Johns Hopkins Health Alerts?
Signup

User Name:


This appears next to your comment.


Email Address:

(this will not be posted)
This will be your login ID.

Password:

Confirm Password:


Receive Health Alerts?

Notify me when new comments are posted?

Comment (offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)

Already a subscriber?
Login

Email:

Password:


Forgot your password?


(800) 829-0422

Registered Users Log-in:

Email:

Password:

Remember me
Forgot Password?

Become a Registered User!
It's fast and FREE!
The Benefits of Being A Registered User

Health Topic Pages

Arthritis +Add
Back Pain & Osteoporosis +Add
Cancer
Caregivers | Caregiving
Colon Cancer +Add
Complementary Medicine
Depression & Anxiety +Add
Diabetes +Add
Digestive Health +Add
Enlarged Prostate +Add
Exercise and Fitness
Healthy Living +Add
Heart Health +Add
Hypertension & Stroke +Add
Lung Disorders +Add
Memory +Add
Men's Health
Nutrition +Add
Prescription Drugs +Add
Prostate Disorders +Add
Sexual Health
Vision +Add
Weight Control +Add
Women's Health
Health Alert Special Report



Johns Hopkins’ Bestsellers

Arthritis

Johns Hopkins White Papers

  • 2009 Arthritis White Paper Arthritis now affects over 70 million Americans. The Johns Hopkins 2009 Arthritis White Paper provides in-depth knowledge on the most recent breakthroughs concerning the most common forms of arthritis—osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, it includes two other rheumatic diseases: fibromyalgia syndrome and bursitis, and also ankylosing spondylitis, gout, and lyme disease.
    PLUS, get your special discount and FREE Special Report: Active Living with Arthritis through this exclusive web-only offer.
    Click here to read more or order the INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD EDITION

    Click here to read more or order the PRINT EDITION

    Other Arthritis
    Related Titles:

    Introducing...

    Understanding & Managing Fibromyalgia Syndrome

    Presenting the latest thinking on the causes and treatments of fibromyalgia
  • Understanding & Managing Fibromyalgia Syndrome

    Understanding and Managing FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME is designed to provide the latest thinking on the causes of fibromyalgia and the full range of your treatment options-both lifestyle measures and medications. Like an in-depth consultation with a leading specialist, this Special Report gives you unprecedented access to Johns Hopkins doctors- extensive knowledge and experience in treating this debilitating condition.
    Click here to read more or order the INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD EDITION

  • Johns Hopkins Recipes for Arthritis Health
    How food affects arthritis has been a source of controversy for years and has often resulted in questionable remedies and diets. What is not controversial, however, is that those with arthritis should control their weight and maximize nutritional health by... Read more...

  • 2009 Back Pain and Osteoporosis White Paper
    Low back pain affects 80% of all adults at some time in their lives.And as our population continues to age, osteoporosis becomes an increasingly widespread problem. In this White Paper, the Johns Hopkins experts tackle sprains, strains, spasms, disk herniation, and more...
    PLUS, get your special discount and FREE Special Report: Oh, My Aching Back! through this exclusive web-only offer.
    Click here to read more or order the INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD EDITION

    Click here to read more or order the PRINT EDITION


  • The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter: Health After 50
    Since 1988, Hopkins experts have been reporting the latest cutting-edge information on treating the major medical conditions affecting those over 50. Women's health, men's medical concerns, nutrition, weight control, breakthroughs on arthritis, and more, direct to you every month from our specialists. Read more, collect your FREE trial issue, or order now and receive two FREE Special Reports...





  • For information about the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, please click here.

    Just Published!

    The 2009 Johns Hopkins
    White Papers now available --
    direct from America's #1 Hospital!

    Johns Hopkins White Papers

    Look to the 2009 White papers for the latest medical advances in prostate health, current findings on managing heart disease, preventing Alzheimer's, developments in treating diabetes, new research on arthritis, and much more!

    Each of our 15 White Papers provides:

    • A thorough overview of the condition, its causes, and symptoms
    • Treatment options, with a Johns Hopkins recommendation on each
    • Groundbreaking new research and a review of the latest studies
    • A glossary of medical terms you need to understand ... and much more.

    For more information, go to the Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Bookstore.


    © 2009 MediZine LLC. All rights reserved.
    Contact Us
    customerservice@johnshopkinshealthalerts.com