Where Does Ankylosing Spondylitis Start, and How Does It Progress?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhere AS StartsStagesHow Does AS Progress?When to Seek CareFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Ankylosing Spondylitis GuideWhat Are the Early Signs of Ankylosing Spondylitis?

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Table of Contents

Where AS Starts

Stages

How Does AS Progress?

When to Seek Care

Frequently Asked Questions

Next in Ankylosing Spondylitis Guide

Inankylosing spondylitis(AS), ongoing spineinflammationleads to stiffness, and in severe cases, thevertebrae(small spine bones) will start to fuse (grow together). When spine fusion occurs, the spine becomes inflexible.Most people with AS will experience periods of back pain and stiffness that come and go, calledflare-ups. They will also experience periods of remission in which symptoms are either completely gone or milder. AS is a progressive condition, which means it gets worse with time.PeopleImages / Getty ImagesSymptoms of AS include back and hip pain, stiffness, fatigue, and reduced mobility. Treatment in AS is vital as untreated or undertreated disease can cause the condition to progress and damage the spine.This article covers how ankylosing spondylitis starts, its stages, progression, and when to seek care.Where Ankylosing Spondylitis StartsThe earliest symptoms of AS areinflammatory low back painand stiffness. Back pain and stiffness are typically worse in the morning and after periods of inactivity.Symptoms of AS will develop gradually over months or years. Symptoms might be worse in the morning and after periods of inactivity.Sacroiliac Joint PainSacroiliitis, which is inflammation of one or bothsacroiliac (SI) joints, affects around 10% of people with AS.The SI joints are located at the lower part of the spine where the spine and pelvis meet. For people with AS who experience sacroiliitis, it will occur early in the disease process and might be seen in imaging studies.Sacroiliitis pain causes pain in the buttocks, low back, legs, hips, and feet. The pain can worsen after standing too long, going up or down steps, or walking long distances.Other Early SignsThe earliest symptoms of AS will develop slowly over many months and years. In addition to back pain and stiffness, early AS causes:Arthritis:AS causes peripheral arthritis in the large joints of the arms and legs. According to a study reported in 2021,the prevalence of peripheral arthritis in AS ranges from 22% to 30%.Affected joints will be painful, tender, swollen, and warm to the touch.Enthesitis: AS causes inflammation of theentheses—the areas where tendons and ligaments connect to bone. Common sites for enthesitis are behind the heel at theAchilles tendon,under the heel, where the ribs meet the breastbone, and in the spine, pelvic bones, and sacroiliac joints.Fatigue: This is a common symptom of AS, affecting 50% to 70% of people with the condition. People with AS experience fatigue very early on in the disease process.AS fatigue differs from simply feeling tired, and sleep doesn’t resolve it. It can affect many aspects of your life, including work and personal relationships.Stages of Ankylosing SpondylitisAS progression can be measured in three stages—early, progressing, and advanced.Early Ankylosing SpondylitisFor most people, AS starts in the low back and SI joints, causing pain and stiffness. They will also experience other early signs of AS, including fatigue, fever, appetite loss, and enthesitis.Not everyone will have the same symptoms in this early stage. People assigned female at birth might experience different symptoms, such aspain and stiffness of the neckrather than the back.They might also experience more peripheral joint pain than people assigned male at birth.Progressing Ankylosing SpondylitisAs ankylosing spondylitis progresses, other joints and body tissues (i.e., muscles and tendons) will be affected. AS might also affect the organs, including the eyes, heart, and lungs, and cause stomach lining inflammation.Eye inflammation: AS can lead to inflammatory eye conditions likeiritis(inflammation of the colored ring of the eye) anduveitis(inflammation of the middle layer of tissue in the eye wall). Both conditions can cause blurred vision, sensitivity to light, eye pain, and eye dryness.Left untreated, ongoing eye inflammation might lead to vision problems, including vision loss. Healthcare providers typically treat eye inflammation in AS with corticosteroid drops.Heart complications: A small number of people with AS will experience cardiovascular troubles associated with the condition.Heart conditions linked to AS include aortitis (inflammation of the aorta), aortic valve disease, conduction disturbances,cardiomyopathy(damage to the heart muscle), and ischemic heart disease (blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle).Gastrointestinal troubles: AS can affect the stomach lining and lead toinflammatory bowel disease(IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Even without stomach inflammation, AS can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, constipation and diarrhea.Lung fibrosis: This is a rare complication that may be seen in the advanced stages of AS. There is a thickening of the pleura (the linings around the lungs) at the top of the lungs and thickening/scarring of the lung tissue beneath the pleura.Advanced Ankylosing SpondylitisIn advanced AS, new bone formation calledankylosiscauses the spine to fuse.Spinal fusion leads to spinal immobility andkyphosis(rounding of the upper back) and increases the risk of spinal fractures.Fusing of vertebrae in the spine can prevent the rib cage from properly expanding, making it harder to take deep breaths.Kyphosis can lead to the appearance of the body being bent forward. The fusing also increases the risk of spinal fractures.If there is scarring at thespinal nerves, you might experience neurological problems, includingcauda equina syndrome(CES).CES is a rare symptom of AS, but because it is a medical emergency, it is still crucial to be aware of its symptoms. Symptoms include pain and weakness of the legs, urinary and bowel problems, and sexual dysfunction.If you experience symptoms of CES, you should call 911 or head to your local emergency department.How Does AS Progress?How AS progresses or changes over time will vary from person to person. Some people will experience only back pain and stiffness that comes and goes, while others will have mobility problems and experience signs of worsening disease.According to findings of an observational study reported in 2019 inArthritis Care & Research, at least 25% of people with AS experience disease progression.The report’s authors note predictive factors in disease progression, including being assigned male at birth, joint damage at diagnosis, active disease, smoking, and higherinflammatory markers(findings in the blood that signify inflammation).Around 20% to 50% of AS study participants had some degree of spinal progression within two years following their diagnosis.Researchers also found treatment withtumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitorsslowed the progression rate and reduced the potential for spine damage. These drugs include Enbrel (etanercept), Remicade (infliximab), Humira (adalimumab), Simponi (golimumab), and Cimzia (certolizumab)Other treatments to slow progression include:Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), Voltaren (diclofenac), meloxicam, Celebrex (celecoxib)Interleukin-17 (IL-17) blockers, such asCosentyx(secukinumab), Taltz (ixekizumab)Janus kinase inhibitors, such as Xeljanz (tofacitinib)While ankylosing spondylitis can progress and worsen, it can also go into remission, which means having few or no symptoms. If you are in remission, make sure you keep following your treatment plan. Research shows people in AS remission who stop taking their medications will see their symptoms return quickly.You can ask your healthcare provider to lower some medication doses while in remission, but do not make changes to your treatment plan without first talking to your healthcare provider. Contact them if symptoms of AS return, especially low back and peripheral joint inflammation.How Ankylosing Spondylitis Is TreatedWhen to Seek CareIf you have not previously been diagnosed with AS and experience persistent back pain that is worse in the morning and improves with movement, you should reach out to a healthcare provider. You should also seek medical attention for eye symptoms, especially swelling, redness, and sensitivity to light.If you have AS and are seeing a specialist called arheumatologist, reach out if you notice new or worsening symptoms. A rheumatologist is a specialist who diagnoses and treats arthritis conditions, including inflammatory arthritis conditions like AS.You should reach out to your rheumatologist right away for the following symptoms:Breathing problemsStiffening or immobility of the spineChest painVision problemsSevere back or joint painUnexplained weight lossSummaryAnkylosing spondylitis affects the joints and ligaments of the spine. Chronic inflammation can lead to spine stiffness, fusing, and fractures over time.The earliest symptoms of AS are back and hip pain, peripheral arthritis, chronic fatigue, and inflammation of entheses. Symptoms will start slowly and worsen over months and years.AS is a progressive condition, which means it gets worse with time. AS progression falls into three stages—early, progressing, and advanced. Treatment can slow down progression.You should reach out to a healthcare provider if you experience persistent back pain that is worse in the morning and improves with movement. Contact a healthcare provider immediately if you have received a diagnosis of AS and experience worsening symptoms.A Word From VerywellThere is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis, but the condition is treatable and manageable. And, thanks to treatment advances, AS typically does not lead to any severe problems.Even so, it is still vital that you take all medications as prescribed and follow all your healthcare provider’s instructions. Go to all appointments and keep up with follow-up testing if even you feel better or have no symptoms. This is the best way to improve your outlook and quality of life despite AS.Frequently Asked QuestionsAS typically occurs before age 45. It often affects young adults in their prime years.The symptoms of AS can start as early as late adolescence or early adulthood.AS can also affect younger children and older adults.Symptoms of AS usually develop slowly over several months or years and may come and go. They might improve or get worse over time.Learn MoreWhat Are the Early Signs of Ankylosing Spondylitis?What causes ankylosing spondylitis is unknown. However, research has shown that genes and environmental triggers might play a part. Researchers also know that AS is linked to the HLA-B27 gene mutation, which increases the risk for the condition.Learn MoreWhat Causes Ankylosing Spondylitis?The outlook for ankylosing spondylitis varies from person to person. For some people, it improves with treatment. For others, the disease can get progressively worse and lead to spinal fusing and damage to other joints. Disease complications in AS are rare due to modern therapies, and AS typically does not affect life expectancy.Learn MoreSymptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Most people with AS will experience periods of back pain and stiffness that come and go, calledflare-ups. They will also experience periods of remission in which symptoms are either completely gone or milder. AS is a progressive condition, which means it gets worse with time.

PeopleImages / Getty Images

Person experiencing backache and working on a laptop outside

Symptoms of AS include back and hip pain, stiffness, fatigue, and reduced mobility. Treatment in AS is vital as untreated or undertreated disease can cause the condition to progress and damage the spine.

This article covers how ankylosing spondylitis starts, its stages, progression, and when to seek care.

Where Ankylosing Spondylitis Starts

The earliest symptoms of AS areinflammatory low back painand stiffness. Back pain and stiffness are typically worse in the morning and after periods of inactivity.Symptoms of AS will develop gradually over months or years. Symptoms might be worse in the morning and after periods of inactivity.

Sacroiliac Joint Pain

Sacroiliitis, which is inflammation of one or bothsacroiliac (SI) joints, affects around 10% of people with AS.The SI joints are located at the lower part of the spine where the spine and pelvis meet. For people with AS who experience sacroiliitis, it will occur early in the disease process and might be seen in imaging studies.

Sacroiliitis pain causes pain in the buttocks, low back, legs, hips, and feet. The pain can worsen after standing too long, going up or down steps, or walking long distances.

Other Early Signs

The earliest symptoms of AS will develop slowly over many months and years. In addition to back pain and stiffness, early AS causes:

Stages of Ankylosing Spondylitis

AS progression can be measured in three stages—early, progressing, and advanced.

Early Ankylosing Spondylitis

For most people, AS starts in the low back and SI joints, causing pain and stiffness. They will also experience other early signs of AS, including fatigue, fever, appetite loss, and enthesitis.

Not everyone will have the same symptoms in this early stage. People assigned female at birth might experience different symptoms, such aspain and stiffness of the neckrather than the back.They might also experience more peripheral joint pain than people assigned male at birth.

Progressing Ankylosing Spondylitis

As ankylosing spondylitis progresses, other joints and body tissues (i.e., muscles and tendons) will be affected. AS might also affect the organs, including the eyes, heart, and lungs, and cause stomach lining inflammation.

Eye inflammation: AS can lead to inflammatory eye conditions likeiritis(inflammation of the colored ring of the eye) anduveitis(inflammation of the middle layer of tissue in the eye wall). Both conditions can cause blurred vision, sensitivity to light, eye pain, and eye dryness.

Left untreated, ongoing eye inflammation might lead to vision problems, including vision loss. Healthcare providers typically treat eye inflammation in AS with corticosteroid drops.

Heart complications: A small number of people with AS will experience cardiovascular troubles associated with the condition.Heart conditions linked to AS include aortitis (inflammation of the aorta), aortic valve disease, conduction disturbances,cardiomyopathy(damage to the heart muscle), and ischemic heart disease (blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle).

Gastrointestinal troubles: AS can affect the stomach lining and lead toinflammatory bowel disease(IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Even without stomach inflammation, AS can cause gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, constipation and diarrhea.

Lung fibrosis: This is a rare complication that may be seen in the advanced stages of AS. There is a thickening of the pleura (the linings around the lungs) at the top of the lungs and thickening/scarring of the lung tissue beneath the pleura.

Advanced Ankylosing Spondylitis

In advanced AS, new bone formation calledankylosiscauses the spine to fuse.Spinal fusion leads to spinal immobility andkyphosis(rounding of the upper back) and increases the risk of spinal fractures.

Fusing of vertebrae in the spine can prevent the rib cage from properly expanding, making it harder to take deep breaths.Kyphosis can lead to the appearance of the body being bent forward. The fusing also increases the risk of spinal fractures.

If there is scarring at thespinal nerves, you might experience neurological problems, includingcauda equina syndrome(CES).CES is a rare symptom of AS, but because it is a medical emergency, it is still crucial to be aware of its symptoms. Symptoms include pain and weakness of the legs, urinary and bowel problems, and sexual dysfunction.

If you experience symptoms of CES, you should call 911 or head to your local emergency department.

How AS progresses or changes over time will vary from person to person. Some people will experience only back pain and stiffness that comes and goes, while others will have mobility problems and experience signs of worsening disease.

According to findings of an observational study reported in 2019 inArthritis Care & Research, at least 25% of people with AS experience disease progression.

The report’s authors note predictive factors in disease progression, including being assigned male at birth, joint damage at diagnosis, active disease, smoking, and higherinflammatory markers(findings in the blood that signify inflammation).

Around 20% to 50% of AS study participants had some degree of spinal progression within two years following their diagnosis.Researchers also found treatment withtumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitorsslowed the progression rate and reduced the potential for spine damage. These drugs include Enbrel (etanercept), Remicade (infliximab), Humira (adalimumab), Simponi (golimumab), and Cimzia (certolizumab)

Other treatments to slow progression include:

While ankylosing spondylitis can progress and worsen, it can also go into remission, which means having few or no symptoms. If you are in remission, make sure you keep following your treatment plan. Research shows people in AS remission who stop taking their medications will see their symptoms return quickly.

You can ask your healthcare provider to lower some medication doses while in remission, but do not make changes to your treatment plan without first talking to your healthcare provider. Contact them if symptoms of AS return, especially low back and peripheral joint inflammation.

How Ankylosing Spondylitis Is Treated

If you have not previously been diagnosed with AS and experience persistent back pain that is worse in the morning and improves with movement, you should reach out to a healthcare provider. You should also seek medical attention for eye symptoms, especially swelling, redness, and sensitivity to light.

If you have AS and are seeing a specialist called arheumatologist, reach out if you notice new or worsening symptoms. A rheumatologist is a specialist who diagnoses and treats arthritis conditions, including inflammatory arthritis conditions like AS.

You should reach out to your rheumatologist right away for the following symptoms:

Summary

Ankylosing spondylitis affects the joints and ligaments of the spine. Chronic inflammation can lead to spine stiffness, fusing, and fractures over time.

The earliest symptoms of AS are back and hip pain, peripheral arthritis, chronic fatigue, and inflammation of entheses. Symptoms will start slowly and worsen over months and years.

AS is a progressive condition, which means it gets worse with time. AS progression falls into three stages—early, progressing, and advanced. Treatment can slow down progression.

You should reach out to a healthcare provider if you experience persistent back pain that is worse in the morning and improves with movement. Contact a healthcare provider immediately if you have received a diagnosis of AS and experience worsening symptoms.

A Word From Verywell

There is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis, but the condition is treatable and manageable. And, thanks to treatment advances, AS typically does not lead to any severe problems.

Even so, it is still vital that you take all medications as prescribed and follow all your healthcare provider’s instructions. Go to all appointments and keep up with follow-up testing if even you feel better or have no symptoms. This is the best way to improve your outlook and quality of life despite AS.

Frequently Asked QuestionsAS typically occurs before age 45. It often affects young adults in their prime years.The symptoms of AS can start as early as late adolescence or early adulthood.AS can also affect younger children and older adults.Symptoms of AS usually develop slowly over several months or years and may come and go. They might improve or get worse over time.Learn MoreWhat Are the Early Signs of Ankylosing Spondylitis?What causes ankylosing spondylitis is unknown. However, research has shown that genes and environmental triggers might play a part. Researchers also know that AS is linked to the HLA-B27 gene mutation, which increases the risk for the condition.Learn MoreWhat Causes Ankylosing Spondylitis?The outlook for ankylosing spondylitis varies from person to person. For some people, it improves with treatment. For others, the disease can get progressively worse and lead to spinal fusing and damage to other joints. Disease complications in AS are rare due to modern therapies, and AS typically does not affect life expectancy.Learn MoreSymptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis

AS typically occurs before age 45. It often affects young adults in their prime years.The symptoms of AS can start as early as late adolescence or early adulthood.AS can also affect younger children and older adults.Symptoms of AS usually develop slowly over several months or years and may come and go. They might improve or get worse over time.Learn MoreWhat Are the Early Signs of Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Symptoms of AS usually develop slowly over several months or years and may come and go. They might improve or get worse over time.

Learn MoreWhat Are the Early Signs of Ankylosing Spondylitis?

What causes ankylosing spondylitis is unknown. However, research has shown that genes and environmental triggers might play a part. Researchers also know that AS is linked to the HLA-B27 gene mutation, which increases the risk for the condition.Learn MoreWhat Causes Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Learn MoreWhat Causes Ankylosing Spondylitis?

The outlook for ankylosing spondylitis varies from person to person. For some people, it improves with treatment. For others, the disease can get progressively worse and lead to spinal fusing and damage to other joints. Disease complications in AS are rare due to modern therapies, and AS typically does not affect life expectancy.Learn MoreSymptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Learn MoreSymptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis

16 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.Antonelli MJ, Magrey M.Sacroiliitis mimics: a case report and review of the literature.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18(1):170. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1525-1López-Medina C, Dougados M, Ruyssen-Witrand A, Moltó A.Evaluation of concomitant peripheral arthritis in patients with recent onset axial spondyloarthritis: 5-year results from the DESIR cohort.Arthritis Res Ther. 2019;21(1):139. doi:10.1186/s13075-019-1927-6Spondylitis Association of America,Possible complications: How is a person affected?Li T, Zhou L, Zhao H, et al.Fatigue in ankylosing spondylitis is associated with psychological factors and brain gray matter.Front Med (Lausanne). 2019;6:271. doi:10.3389/fmed.2019.00271LandiM, Maldonado-Ficco H, Perez-Alamino R, et al.Gender differences among patients with primary ankylosing spondylitis and spondylitisassociated with psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease in an iberoamerican spondyloarthritis cohort,Medicine (Baltimore).2016;95(51):e5652. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000005652Stolwijk C, van Tubergen A, Castillo-Ortiz JD, Boonen A.Prevalence of extra-articular manifestations in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Rheum Dis. 2015;74(1):65-73. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-203582Spondylitis Association of America.The heart in spondyloarthritis.Ulusoy H, Tuna NT, Tanrivermis Sayit A.Rapidly progressive pulmonary apical fibrosis and parenchymal destruction in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis.Case Rep Rheumatol. 2020;2020:8852515. doi:10.1155/2020/8852515HaroonN.Ankylosis in ankylosing spondylitis: current concepts.Clin Rheumatol. 2015;34(6):1003-1007. doi:10.1007/s10067-015-2956-4Haroon N.Ankylosis in ankylosing spondylitis: current concepts.Clin Rheumatol. 2015;34(6):1003-1007. doi:10.1007/s10067-015-2956-4Tang C, Moser FG, Reveille J, Bruckel J, Weisman MH.Cauda equina syndrome in ankylosing spondylitis: challenges in diagnosis, management, and pathogenesis.J Rheumatol. 2019;46(12):1582-1588. doi:10.3899/jrheum.181259Sari I, Lee S, Tomlinson G, Johnson SR, Inman RD, Haroon N. FactorsPredictive of radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2021;73(2):275-281. doi:10.1002/acr.24104Ward MM, Deodhar A, Gensler LS, et al.2019 Update of the American College of Rheumatology/Spondylitis Association of America/Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network recommendations for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis and nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis.Arthritis Rheumatol.2019;71(10):1599-1613. doi:10.1002/art.41042MorenoM, Gratacós J, Torrente-Segarra V, et al.Withdrawal of infliximab therapy in ankylosing spondylitis in persistent clinical remission, results from the REMINEA study.Arthritis Res Ther. 2019;21(1):88. doi:10.1186/s13075-019-1873-3Hwang MC, Ridley L, Reveille JD.Ankylosing spondylitis risk factors: a systematic literature review.Clin Rheumatol. 2021;40(8):3079-3093. doi:10.1007/s10067-021-05679-7Spondylitis Association of America.Most common symptoms.

16 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.Antonelli MJ, Magrey M.Sacroiliitis mimics: a case report and review of the literature.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18(1):170. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1525-1López-Medina C, Dougados M, Ruyssen-Witrand A, Moltó A.Evaluation of concomitant peripheral arthritis in patients with recent onset axial spondyloarthritis: 5-year results from the DESIR cohort.Arthritis Res Ther. 2019;21(1):139. doi:10.1186/s13075-019-1927-6Spondylitis Association of America,Possible complications: How is a person affected?Li T, Zhou L, Zhao H, et al.Fatigue in ankylosing spondylitis is associated with psychological factors and brain gray matter.Front Med (Lausanne). 2019;6:271. doi:10.3389/fmed.2019.00271LandiM, Maldonado-Ficco H, Perez-Alamino R, et al.Gender differences among patients with primary ankylosing spondylitis and spondylitisassociated with psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease in an iberoamerican spondyloarthritis cohort,Medicine (Baltimore).2016;95(51):e5652. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000005652Stolwijk C, van Tubergen A, Castillo-Ortiz JD, Boonen A.Prevalence of extra-articular manifestations in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Rheum Dis. 2015;74(1):65-73. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-203582Spondylitis Association of America.The heart in spondyloarthritis.Ulusoy H, Tuna NT, Tanrivermis Sayit A.Rapidly progressive pulmonary apical fibrosis and parenchymal destruction in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis.Case Rep Rheumatol. 2020;2020:8852515. doi:10.1155/2020/8852515HaroonN.Ankylosis in ankylosing spondylitis: current concepts.Clin Rheumatol. 2015;34(6):1003-1007. doi:10.1007/s10067-015-2956-4Haroon N.Ankylosis in ankylosing spondylitis: current concepts.Clin Rheumatol. 2015;34(6):1003-1007. doi:10.1007/s10067-015-2956-4Tang C, Moser FG, Reveille J, Bruckel J, Weisman MH.Cauda equina syndrome in ankylosing spondylitis: challenges in diagnosis, management, and pathogenesis.J Rheumatol. 2019;46(12):1582-1588. doi:10.3899/jrheum.181259Sari I, Lee S, Tomlinson G, Johnson SR, Inman RD, Haroon N. FactorsPredictive of radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2021;73(2):275-281. doi:10.1002/acr.24104Ward MM, Deodhar A, Gensler LS, et al.2019 Update of the American College of Rheumatology/Spondylitis Association of America/Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network recommendations for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis and nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis.Arthritis Rheumatol.2019;71(10):1599-1613. doi:10.1002/art.41042MorenoM, Gratacós J, Torrente-Segarra V, et al.Withdrawal of infliximab therapy in ankylosing spondylitis in persistent clinical remission, results from the REMINEA study.Arthritis Res Ther. 2019;21(1):88. doi:10.1186/s13075-019-1873-3Hwang MC, Ridley L, Reveille JD.Ankylosing spondylitis risk factors: a systematic literature review.Clin Rheumatol. 2021;40(8):3079-3093. doi:10.1007/s10067-021-05679-7Spondylitis Association of America.Most common symptoms.

Antonelli MJ, Magrey M.Sacroiliitis mimics: a case report and review of the literature.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18(1):170. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1525-1López-Medina C, Dougados M, Ruyssen-Witrand A, Moltó A.Evaluation of concomitant peripheral arthritis in patients with recent onset axial spondyloarthritis: 5-year results from the DESIR cohort.Arthritis Res Ther. 2019;21(1):139. doi:10.1186/s13075-019-1927-6Spondylitis Association of America,Possible complications: How is a person affected?Li T, Zhou L, Zhao H, et al.Fatigue in ankylosing spondylitis is associated with psychological factors and brain gray matter.Front Med (Lausanne). 2019;6:271. doi:10.3389/fmed.2019.00271LandiM, Maldonado-Ficco H, Perez-Alamino R, et al.Gender differences among patients with primary ankylosing spondylitis and spondylitisassociated with psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease in an iberoamerican spondyloarthritis cohort,Medicine (Baltimore).2016;95(51):e5652. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000005652Stolwijk C, van Tubergen A, Castillo-Ortiz JD, Boonen A.Prevalence of extra-articular manifestations in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Rheum Dis. 2015;74(1):65-73. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-203582Spondylitis Association of America.The heart in spondyloarthritis.Ulusoy H, Tuna NT, Tanrivermis Sayit A.Rapidly progressive pulmonary apical fibrosis and parenchymal destruction in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis.Case Rep Rheumatol. 2020;2020:8852515. doi:10.1155/2020/8852515HaroonN.Ankylosis in ankylosing spondylitis: current concepts.Clin Rheumatol. 2015;34(6):1003-1007. doi:10.1007/s10067-015-2956-4Haroon N.Ankylosis in ankylosing spondylitis: current concepts.Clin Rheumatol. 2015;34(6):1003-1007. doi:10.1007/s10067-015-2956-4Tang C, Moser FG, Reveille J, Bruckel J, Weisman MH.Cauda equina syndrome in ankylosing spondylitis: challenges in diagnosis, management, and pathogenesis.J Rheumatol. 2019;46(12):1582-1588. doi:10.3899/jrheum.181259Sari I, Lee S, Tomlinson G, Johnson SR, Inman RD, Haroon N. FactorsPredictive of radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2021;73(2):275-281. doi:10.1002/acr.24104Ward MM, Deodhar A, Gensler LS, et al.2019 Update of the American College of Rheumatology/Spondylitis Association of America/Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network recommendations for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis and nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis.Arthritis Rheumatol.2019;71(10):1599-1613. doi:10.1002/art.41042MorenoM, Gratacós J, Torrente-Segarra V, et al.Withdrawal of infliximab therapy in ankylosing spondylitis in persistent clinical remission, results from the REMINEA study.Arthritis Res Ther. 2019;21(1):88. doi:10.1186/s13075-019-1873-3Hwang MC, Ridley L, Reveille JD.Ankylosing spondylitis risk factors: a systematic literature review.Clin Rheumatol. 2021;40(8):3079-3093. doi:10.1007/s10067-021-05679-7Spondylitis Association of America.Most common symptoms.

Antonelli MJ, Magrey M.Sacroiliitis mimics: a case report and review of the literature.BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18(1):170. doi:10.1186/s12891-017-1525-1

López-Medina C, Dougados M, Ruyssen-Witrand A, Moltó A.Evaluation of concomitant peripheral arthritis in patients with recent onset axial spondyloarthritis: 5-year results from the DESIR cohort.Arthritis Res Ther. 2019;21(1):139. doi:10.1186/s13075-019-1927-6

Spondylitis Association of America,Possible complications: How is a person affected?

Li T, Zhou L, Zhao H, et al.Fatigue in ankylosing spondylitis is associated with psychological factors and brain gray matter.Front Med (Lausanne). 2019;6:271. doi:10.3389/fmed.2019.00271

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Spondylitis Association of America.The heart in spondyloarthritis.

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Spondylitis Association of America.Most common symptoms.

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Where Ankylosing Spondylitis Starts#

Sacroiliac Joint Pain#

Other Early Signs#

Stages of Ankylosing Spondylitis#

Early Ankylosing Spondylitis#

Progressing Ankylosing Spondylitis#

Advanced Ankylosing Spondylitis#

Summary#

A Word From Verywell#