Signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis

Men are more at risk than women from ankylosing spondylitis and the first signs and symptoms show up in early adulthood usually before the age of 35.  However, symptoms can vary between both sexes.  In men the spine and pelvis are more likely to be affected than other areas, but the chest wall, hips, shoulders and feet may also be affected.

In women ankylosing spondylitis may present with milder symptoms but can still result in considerable pain.  The symptoms more commonly presenting joints of the fingers, wrists and ankles, although the pelvis, hips and knees can also be affected.

Now people with ankylosing spondylitis generally begin to experience symptoms at a much earlier age compared with other inflammatory conditions, and there is also now evidence that ankylosing spondylitis may be inherited, but what triggers the onset of symptoms is still not fully understood.

The first symptom people with ankylosing spondylitis typically present with is a dull pain in the lower back that comes on gradually over time.  This pain is generally felt deep in the buttocks or the lower back and lumber regions and is accompanied by morning joint stiffness in the same area that lasts for a few hours.  These symptoms can improve with exercise but then tend to return when at rest.  The pain then becomes persistent and is usually worse at night disturbing sleep.

The spine can also lose some of its flexibility and mobility as bony growths cause a gradual fusion of some of the vertebrae and some people with ankylosing spondylitis eventually develop a stooping posture.  So the tell tale signs that I look for with this problem include low back pain that improves with movement and exercise, flare-ups or bursts of increased symptoms and finally limited mobility and stiffness in the spine.