Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIs Leg Pain a Symptom of AS?Treatments and Management
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Is Leg Pain a Symptom of AS?
Treatments and Management
Ankylosing spondylitis(AS) is arthritis that primarily affects the spine. For some people, this disease can also cause inflammation in other joints, most commonly the hips.However, leg pain can be an indication that inflammation has spread to your knees, ankles, or joints in your feet.
This article discusses leg pain as a symptom of ankylosing spondylitis—why it happens and treatment options.
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Ankylosing Spondylitis—Who Is Affected?Ankylosing spondylitis often runs in families, with symptoms usually appearing before age 45.
Ankylosing Spondylitis—Who Is Affected?
Ankylosing spondylitis often runs in families, with symptoms usually appearing before age 45.
Is Leg Pain a Symptom of Ankylosing Spondylitis?
When AS spreads to areas other than the spine, it can cause additional symptoms, including:
Inflammation from AS can also cause swelling, redness, and warmth in the knees, ankles, and feet.
Somatic Pain
Treatments and Management of Leg Pain From AS
Leg pain and other symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis aretreatedwith a combination of medications, lifestyle habits, physical therapy, and in severe cases, surgery.
Medications
Other types ofmedications to treat ASsymptoms can include:
Lifestyle Habits
Healthy lifestyle habits can help decrease leg pain and other symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapybenefits people with ankylosing spondylitis, with or without leg pain. Your physical therapist can teach you helpful exercises without worsening your pain and can make positioning recommendations to improve your sleep.
If you’re having difficulty with your mobility, a physical therapist can teach you to useassistive equipment, such as a cane, to improve your function.
Surgery
Surgery isn’t necessary for most people with ankylosing spondylitis.However, if joint damage is severe, it might be needed.
AS causes the most damage to the spinal joints. Over time, a person can develop a deformity and become “stuck” in a bent position. In addition to causing pain, this deformity can negatively affect internal organs and make breathing difficult.Surgery is performed to stabilize the spine in an upright position.
AS can also cause severe damage in other joints, including the hips and knees. In some cases, joint replacement surgery is indicated.
An Overview of Ankylosing Spondylitis Surgery
When to See Your Healthcare ProviderIf you’ve been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, you likely have regular visits with your healthcare provider. However, let your healthcare provider know if you experience new symptoms—pain in your legs, numbness, tingling, or weakness. These symptoms can signal that your condition is compressing nerves in your lower back.
When to See Your Healthcare Provider
If you’ve been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, you likely have regular visits with your healthcare provider. However, let your healthcare provider know if you experience new symptoms—pain in your legs, numbness, tingling, or weakness. These symptoms can signal that your condition is compressing nerves in your lower back.
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory condition that primarily causes back pain from damage to the spinal joints. AS can spread to other joints too—most commonly, the hips.However, it can also affect the knees and ankles, leading to leg pain.
Treatment includes medication, lifestyle changes, and physical therapy. In severe cases, surgery might be required.
A Word From Verywell
Managing leg pain and other symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis can be challenging. Speak with your healthcare provider about lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, physical therapy, or other options that may help. Know that you can find relief and live a long, healthy life.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Ankylosing spondylitis.Arthritis Foundation.Axial spondylarthritis.Siddiq MAB, Clegg D, Hasan SA, et al.Extra-spinal sciatica and sciatica mimics: a scoping review.Korean J Pain. 2020;33(4):305-317. doi:10.3344/kjp.2020.33.4.305National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Ankylosing spondylitis: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Arthritis Foundation.Smoking worsens ankylosing spondylitis damage.Maatallah K, Makhlouf Y, Ferjani H, et al.Factors associated with the inflammatory process in pain in ankylosing spondylitis.Pan Afr Med J. 2022;41:331. doi:10.11604/pamj.2022.41.331.31312Arthritis Foundation.The ultimate arthritis diet.Zhu W, He X, Cheng K, et al.Ankylosing spondylitis: etiology, pathogenesis, and treatments.Bone Res. 2019;7:22. doi:10.1038/s41413-019-0057-8
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Ankylosing spondylitis.Arthritis Foundation.Axial spondylarthritis.Siddiq MAB, Clegg D, Hasan SA, et al.Extra-spinal sciatica and sciatica mimics: a scoping review.Korean J Pain. 2020;33(4):305-317. doi:10.3344/kjp.2020.33.4.305National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Ankylosing spondylitis: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Arthritis Foundation.Smoking worsens ankylosing spondylitis damage.Maatallah K, Makhlouf Y, Ferjani H, et al.Factors associated with the inflammatory process in pain in ankylosing spondylitis.Pan Afr Med J. 2022;41:331. doi:10.11604/pamj.2022.41.331.31312Arthritis Foundation.The ultimate arthritis diet.Zhu W, He X, Cheng K, et al.Ankylosing spondylitis: etiology, pathogenesis, and treatments.Bone Res. 2019;7:22. doi:10.1038/s41413-019-0057-8
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Ankylosing spondylitis.Arthritis Foundation.Axial spondylarthritis.Siddiq MAB, Clegg D, Hasan SA, et al.Extra-spinal sciatica and sciatica mimics: a scoping review.Korean J Pain. 2020;33(4):305-317. doi:10.3344/kjp.2020.33.4.305National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Ankylosing spondylitis: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.Arthritis Foundation.Smoking worsens ankylosing spondylitis damage.Maatallah K, Makhlouf Y, Ferjani H, et al.Factors associated with the inflammatory process in pain in ankylosing spondylitis.Pan Afr Med J. 2022;41:331. doi:10.11604/pamj.2022.41.331.31312Arthritis Foundation.The ultimate arthritis diet.Zhu W, He X, Cheng K, et al.Ankylosing spondylitis: etiology, pathogenesis, and treatments.Bone Res. 2019;7:22. doi:10.1038/s41413-019-0057-8
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Ankylosing spondylitis.
Arthritis Foundation.Axial spondylarthritis.
Siddiq MAB, Clegg D, Hasan SA, et al.Extra-spinal sciatica and sciatica mimics: a scoping review.Korean J Pain. 2020;33(4):305-317. doi:10.3344/kjp.2020.33.4.305
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Ankylosing spondylitis: Diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.
Arthritis Foundation.Smoking worsens ankylosing spondylitis damage.
Maatallah K, Makhlouf Y, Ferjani H, et al.Factors associated with the inflammatory process in pain in ankylosing spondylitis.Pan Afr Med J. 2022;41:331. doi:10.11604/pamj.2022.41.331.31312
Arthritis Foundation.The ultimate arthritis diet.
Zhu W, He X, Cheng K, et al.Ankylosing spondylitis: etiology, pathogenesis, and treatments.Bone Res. 2019;7:22. doi:10.1038/s41413-019-0057-8
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