Symptoms
The severity of symptoms can vary from mild to very severe.
Common symptoms may include:
-
Stiffening and pain (arthritis) of the:
- Lower back
- Sacroiliac joint, where the back and hip meet, possibly radiating down the legs
- Pain that is often worse at night
- Stiffness that is worse in the morning
- Symptom improvement with exercise or activity
-
Occasionally, pain and stiffness in other joints:
- Knee
- Upper back
- Rib cage
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Feet
- Chest pain, which may suggest heart, heart valve (aortic insufficiency), or lung involvement
- Eye pain, visual changes, increased tearing which may suggest eye involvement (uveitis)
Less common symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Fever
- Numbness (if arthritic spurs compress the spinal nerves)
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Diagnosis is based on common symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis, such as:
- Dramatic loss of flexibility of the lower back and spine (limitation of motion of the low back)
- Pain in the lower back
- Limited chest expansion when taking deep breaths
Tests may include:
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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