Ankylosing Spondylitis: MedlinePlus

Ankylosing Spondylitis: MedlinePlus

Ankylosing Spondylitis

05/10/2016 11:55 AM EDT

Source: Nemours Foundation
Related MedlinePlus Page: Ankylosing Spondylitis

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA  

• Ankylosing spondylitis
• HLA-B27 antigen
• Lumbar MRI scan
• Pelvis x-ray
• Uveitis

Related Health Topics

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Ankylosing Spondylitisis the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

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Summary

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis of the spine. It causes inflammation between your vertebrae, which are the bones that make up your spine, and in the joints between your spine and pelvis. In some people, it can affect other joints.

AS is more common and more severe in men. It often runs in families. The cause is unknown, but it is likely that both genes and factors in the environment play a role.

Early symptoms of AS include back pain and stiffness. These problems often start in late adolescence or early adulthood. Over time, AS can fuse your vertebrae together, limiting movement. Some people have symptoms that come and go. Others have severe, ongoing pain.

A diagnosis of AS is based on your medical history and a physical examination. You may also have imaging or blood tests.

AS has no cure, but medicines can relieve symptoms and may keep the disease from getting worse. Eating a healthy diet, not smoking, and exercising can also help. In rare cases, you may need surgery to straighten the spine.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease

Start Here

• Ankylosing Spondylitis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Ankylosing Spondylitis  (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
• What Is Ankylosing Spondylitis?   (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)

Symptoms

• Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis (Spondylitis Association of America)

Diagnosis and Tests

• Diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis (Spondylitis Association of America)
• HLA-B27 Test (American Association for Clinical Chemistry)

Treatments and Therapies

• Alternative Treatments for Ankylosing Spondylitis (Spondylitis Association of America)
• Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) (Beyond the Basics) (UpToDate)
• NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) (American College of Rheumatology)

Living With

• Diet and Spondylitis (Spondylitis Association of America)
• Exercise and Posture (Spondylitis Association of America)

Genetics

• Genetics Home Reference: ankylosing spondylitis  (National Library of Medicine)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Spondylitis, Ankylosing  (National Institutes of Health)

Journal ArticlesReferences and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Advanced Clinical and Radiological Features of Ankylosing Spondylitis: Relation to...
• Article: Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis.
• Article: Etoricoxib in ankylosing spondylitis: is there a role for active...
• Ankylosing Spondylitis -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• Arthritis Foundation Available in Spanish
• Find a Rheumatologist (American College of Rheumatology)
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Available in Spanish

Children

• Ankylosing Spondylitis (Nemours Foundation)

Teenagers

• Spondylitis Web Info for Teens (Spondylitis Association of America)

Patient Handouts

• Ankylosing spondylitis Available in Spanish
• HLA-B27 antigen Available in Spanish