Ankylosing spondylitis

Updated: 2023-11-18

Description

An inflammatory disease that fuses bones of the spine together.

Overview

Ankylosing spondylitis, also known as axial spondyloarthritis, is an inflammatory disease that fuses bones of the spine together.

Symptoms

It can cause a hunched-forward posture. If ribs are affected, breathing deeply may be hard. Other complications can include eye inflammation, called uveitis. Symptoms usually appear in early adulthood.

Treatments

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