Ankylosing spondylitis

The condition is more common among men and usually begins in early adulthood.

Symptoms typically appear in early adulthood and include reduced flexibility in the spine. This reduced flexibility eventually results in a hunched-forward posture. Pain in the back and joints is also common.

Treatment includes medication, physical therapy, and in rare cases surgery.

Bechterew's disease

Consult a doctor for medical advice

Sources: Mayo Clinic and others.

Common

< 0

Cases per year

More than 200,000 cases per year in US

Treatments can help manage condition, no known cure

Requires a medical diagnosis

Often requires lab test or imaging

More common in males

Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong

Family history may increase likelihood

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that, over time, can cause some of the vertebrae in your spine to fuse. This fusing makes the spine less flexible and can result in a hunched-forward posture. If ribs are affected, it can be difficult to breathe deeply.

Ankylosing spondylitis affects men more often than women. Signs and symptoms typically begin in early adulthood. Inflammation also can occur in other parts of your body — most commonly, your eyes.

There is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis, but treatments can lessen your symptoms and possibly slow progression of the disease.

Ankle -

- Physical discomfort in the ankle area, often including the joint or the tendon that connects the lower leg to the heel (Achilles tendon).

Eye -

- Ache and discomfort in the eye.

Heel -

- A foot problem which presents as pain and can inhibit level of walking.

Hip -

- Unpleasant sensation or discomfort in or around the hip joint.

Joint -

- Discomfort, pain or inflammation arising from any part of a joint including cartilage, bone, ligaments, tendons or muscles.

Low Back -

- Pain or ache in the lower region of the back, varying in intensity.

Mid Back -

- Pain that occurs in the region below the base of the neck and above the bottom of the rib cage.

Neck -

- Pain felt in the neck. Can be in the neck bones, ligaments or muscles. Pain in the neck and shoulder that varies in intensity, and may feel achy or like an electric shock from the neck to the arm.

Shoulder -

- Pain around the shoulder(s).

Bone-

-Bone, although strong, is a constantly changing tissue that has several functions. Bones serve as rigid structures to the body and as shields to protect delicate internal organs. They provide housing for the bone marrow, where the blood cells are formed. Bones also maintain the body's reservoir of calcium. In children, some bones have areas called growth plates. Bones lengthen in these areas until the child reaches full height, at which time the growth plates close. Thereafter, bones grow in thickness rather than in length, based on the body's need for additional bone strength in certain areas.

There is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis. Treatments aim at managing the symptoms.

Orthopedic surgeon-

-Performs surgery for conditions affecting bones and muscles.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation-

-Restores function and quality of life to those with physical disabilities.

Physical therapist-

-Restores muscle strength and function through exercise.

Primary Care Provider (PCP)-

-Prevents, diagnoses, and treats diseases.

Rheumatologist-

-Specializes in arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.

Current condition

Ankylosing spondylitis

Child condition of Ankylosing spondylitis

DURATION: 10 min., 20 min., As Needed, Twice Daily

MODES: 1-Kneading