If you haveankylosing spondylitis(AS), then you understand how this condition can affect the way you move and function. The disease is chronic in nature, and once diagnosed, it can progress through different stages. The stages of ankylosing spondylitis, the rate of progression, and the prognosis of the disease are all different for each individual.
Ankylosing spondylitis is not a life-threatening disease, even though it is a progressive chronic condition with no known cure. Researchers alsodo not know what causes AS, but it mostly affects men who are middle-aged. It can cause certain problems that limit mobility and lead to other co-morbidities.By understanding the potential progression and stages of AS, you can do things to limit the effect that progressive AS has on your life.
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Stages
There are three stages of AS, and each stage has its own separate characteristics. People with AS progress to and through each stage at different rates. And while there is no cure for AS, there are things to do at certain times to ensure that you improve your chances at an excellent prognosis with AS.
Early Ankylosing Spondylitis
In the early stages of AS, you may experiencemild back pain and stiffness. This usually starts very low in the back, near yoursacroiliac joints. It may be on one or both sides, and it is typically better with movement.
It is a good idea to work closely with arheumatologistin the early stages of ankylosing spondylitis. They can assess your condition and make treatment recommendations. Most people in the early stages of AS benefit from controlling the inflammation with over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medications such as naproxen or ibuprofen.
Exercise Can Help With SymptomsExercise is important in all stages of ankylosing spondylitis, and starting an exercise program for your condition is key in the early stages. Working with a physical therapist may be beneficial, as they can set up an exercise program tailored specifically to your needs.
Exercise Can Help With Symptoms
Exercise is important in all stages of ankylosing spondylitis, and starting an exercise program for your condition is key in the early stages. Working with a physical therapist may be beneficial, as they can set up an exercise program tailored specifically to your needs.
10 Exercises for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Progressing Ankylosing Spondylitis
As ankylosing spondylitis progresses, you may experience more pain and stiffness on both sides of your spine that extends up toward your mid back and neck. Stiffness and achy pain may limit your movement, and you may find it difficult to keep anupright posturedue to pain and stiffness.
During this stage, the inflammation from ASmay affect other body systems. Your eyes may suffer from inflammation oruveitis. Symptoms may include:
Your digestive tract may become irritated as a result of chronic inflammation due to AS.Your kidneys or liver may also be irritated from taking anti-inflammatory medication. If this happens, or if the medication becomes less effective at managing your symptoms, your rheumatologist may switch medicines and prescribe abiologic medicine.
Biologics for ASBiologics are often used to manage your ankylosing spondylitis condition, and they may help offer protection from damage to your joints. Joint damage cannot be undone in AS, so protecting the joints should be a priority.Common biologic medicines include tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) like Enbrel (etanercept) and Humira (adalimumab). If those are not effective, a biologic called IL-17 inhibitors may be prescribed. The most important component of successful management is finding the best medication for your condition and remaining active as the disease progresses.
Biologics for AS
Biologics are often used to manage your ankylosing spondylitis condition, and they may help offer protection from damage to your joints. Joint damage cannot be undone in AS, so protecting the joints should be a priority.Common biologic medicines include tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) like Enbrel (etanercept) and Humira (adalimumab). If those are not effective, a biologic called IL-17 inhibitors may be prescribed. The most important component of successful management is finding the best medication for your condition and remaining active as the disease progresses.
Biologics are often used to manage your ankylosing spondylitis condition, and they may help offer protection from damage to your joints. Joint damage cannot be undone in AS, so protecting the joints should be a priority.
Common biologic medicines include tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) like Enbrel (etanercept) and Humira (adalimumab). If those are not effective, a biologic called IL-17 inhibitors may be prescribed. The most important component of successful management is finding the best medication for your condition and remaining active as the disease progresses.
Advanced Ankylosing Spondylitis
Complications of advanced AS include:
Working closely with your rheumatologist is important during advanced AS. Medication may need to be adjusted, and you may need to find ways to appropriately manage the pain that may come with disease progression.
The main goals of advanced ankylosing spondylitis treatment are to maintain joint and spinal health, prevent serious complications of AS, and ensure you are able to continue functioning as much as possible.
Applying for Ankylosing Spondylitis Disability Benefits
Progression
Progression of ankylosing spondylitis is likely to happen over time. You can expect to feelspinal painextending from your low back and up into your neck as the disease progresses. Continuing an exercise program for spinal and cardiorespiratory health is important, and learning to attain and maintain proper upright posture can help keep your spine in an optimum position as it fuses.
Some factors in disease progression can be controlled; others are beyond your control to prevent the progression of AS.
How to Make Living With Ankylosing Spondylitis Easier at Home
Factors Affecting Progression
There are different factors that may affect the speed and amount of progression of ankylosing spondylitis. These may include:
How to Find Support for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis is a progressive disease that causes gradual stiffening and fusing of your spinal joints. While the disease is not fatal, it can be painful and may limit your normal functional activity.
Progression of ankylosing spondylitis occurs differently for different people. Understanding its progression—and what you can do to minimize the effects of progression—can help you to reduce pain and maintain function as you age.
While there is no permanent cure for AS, there are ways to limit its effect on you and reduce the deterioration of your spinal joints. That way, you can be sure to have a favorable outcome and enjoy years of active living.
Frequently Asked QuestionsAnkylosing spondylitis is not a fatal condition. It may be progressive, and rapid progression of the disease may limit normal movement and breathing ability.There is no way to prevent ankylosing spondylitis, as it is an autoimmune disease. However, you can do things to minimize the effects of AS if you have it.Learn MoreWhat Are Autoimmune Diseases?Ankylosing spondylitis progresses at different rates for each person. A younger age of onset typically, but not always, means a more rapid progression of the disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ankylosing spondylitis is not a fatal condition. It may be progressive, and rapid progression of the disease may limit normal movement and breathing ability.
There is no way to prevent ankylosing spondylitis, as it is an autoimmune disease. However, you can do things to minimize the effects of AS if you have it.Learn MoreWhat Are Autoimmune Diseases?
There is no way to prevent ankylosing spondylitis, as it is an autoimmune disease. However, you can do things to minimize the effects of AS if you have it.
Learn MoreWhat Are Autoimmune Diseases?
Ankylosing spondylitis progresses at different rates for each person. A younger age of onset typically, but not always, means a more rapid progression of the disease.
4 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.Akassou A, Bakri Y.Does HLA-B27 status influence ankylosing spondylitis phenotype?. Clin Med Insights Arthritis Musculoskelet Disord. 2018;11:1179544117751627. doi:10.1177/1179544117751627Watad A, Bridgewood C, Russell T, Marzo-Ortega H, Cuthbert R, McGonagle D.The early phases of ankylosing spondylitis: emerging insights from clinical and basic science.Front Immunol. 2018;9:2668. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.02668Haroon NN, Paterson JM, Li P, Inman RD, Haroon N.Patients with ankylosing spondylitis have increased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality: a population-based study.Ann Intern Med. 2015;163(6):409-416. doi:10.7326/M14-2470Sari I, Lee S, Tomlinson G, Johnson SR, Inman RD, Haroon N.Factors predictive of radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis.Arthritis Care Res. 2021;73(2):275-281. doi:10.1002/acr.24104
4 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.Akassou A, Bakri Y.Does HLA-B27 status influence ankylosing spondylitis phenotype?. Clin Med Insights Arthritis Musculoskelet Disord. 2018;11:1179544117751627. doi:10.1177/1179544117751627Watad A, Bridgewood C, Russell T, Marzo-Ortega H, Cuthbert R, McGonagle D.The early phases of ankylosing spondylitis: emerging insights from clinical and basic science.Front Immunol. 2018;9:2668. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.02668Haroon NN, Paterson JM, Li P, Inman RD, Haroon N.Patients with ankylosing spondylitis have increased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality: a population-based study.Ann Intern Med. 2015;163(6):409-416. doi:10.7326/M14-2470Sari I, Lee S, Tomlinson G, Johnson SR, Inman RD, Haroon N.Factors predictive of radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis.Arthritis Care Res. 2021;73(2):275-281. doi:10.1002/acr.24104
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.
Akassou A, Bakri Y.Does HLA-B27 status influence ankylosing spondylitis phenotype?. Clin Med Insights Arthritis Musculoskelet Disord. 2018;11:1179544117751627. doi:10.1177/1179544117751627Watad A, Bridgewood C, Russell T, Marzo-Ortega H, Cuthbert R, McGonagle D.The early phases of ankylosing spondylitis: emerging insights from clinical and basic science.Front Immunol. 2018;9:2668. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.02668Haroon NN, Paterson JM, Li P, Inman RD, Haroon N.Patients with ankylosing spondylitis have increased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality: a population-based study.Ann Intern Med. 2015;163(6):409-416. doi:10.7326/M14-2470Sari I, Lee S, Tomlinson G, Johnson SR, Inman RD, Haroon N.Factors predictive of radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis.Arthritis Care Res. 2021;73(2):275-281. doi:10.1002/acr.24104
Akassou A, Bakri Y.Does HLA-B27 status influence ankylosing spondylitis phenotype?. Clin Med Insights Arthritis Musculoskelet Disord. 2018;11:1179544117751627. doi:10.1177/1179544117751627
Watad A, Bridgewood C, Russell T, Marzo-Ortega H, Cuthbert R, McGonagle D.The early phases of ankylosing spondylitis: emerging insights from clinical and basic science.Front Immunol. 2018;9:2668. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.02668
Haroon NN, Paterson JM, Li P, Inman RD, Haroon N.Patients with ankylosing spondylitis have increased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular mortality: a population-based study.Ann Intern Med. 2015;163(6):409-416. doi:10.7326/M14-2470
Sari I, Lee S, Tomlinson G, Johnson SR, Inman RD, Haroon N.Factors predictive of radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis.Arthritis Care Res. 2021;73(2):275-281. doi:10.1002/acr.24104
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