Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is a condition that primarily affects the spine. It is a form of chronic inflammatory
arthritis characterized by
back pain and stiffness. These ankylosing spondylitis symptoms typically appear in adolescence or early adulthood. They do vary significantly from one person to another, and not everyone will experience serious symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis or have spinal fusion.
Ankylosing spondylitis can involve other joints as well, including the shoulders, hips, and, less often, joints in the limbs, including the ankle, elbow, knee, heel, or fingers.
Other parts of the body that may also be affected by ankylosing spondylitis include the eyes, heart, lungs, and digestive tract.
Ankylosing Spondylitis Diagnosis
In order to diagnose ankylosing spondylitis, the healthcare provider will typically begin by asking a number of questions. He or she will then likely perform a physical exam looking for signs of ankylosing spondylitis. If the healthcare provider suspects ankylosing spondylitis, he or she may recommend certain tests. These tests may include blood tests and x-rays.
Before making a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis, the healthcare provider will make sure you do not have other conditions that share similar symptoms with ankylosing spondylitis. A few of these conditions include:
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