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Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a type of progressive arthritis that leads to chronic inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joints.

Disease FAQs

Q. I thought I had a problem with my back. My doctor examined me and said it's not my back, but that I have a sacroiliac dysfunction. What is a sacroiliac dysfunction, and can I be sure that I don't have problems with my back?

Q. What is the difference between a ruptured disc and a herniated disc?

Q. What is the difference between a bulging disc and a herniated disc?

Q. I have degenerative disc disease with spurs in my back and neck. Do you think I'll be in much pain the older I get?

Q. I recently saw my family doctor for pain in my calf and foot. My family doctor said I have a herniated disc in my low back, so she referred me to a spine specialist. Can this be true? How can this pain be coming from something in my back?

Q. I had scoliosis as a teenager and was told that it would stop after I stopped growing. I'm 32 now, and it seems to be getting worse. Could this be something else happening, or is the scoliosis getting worse? Will I need surgery?

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Articles

Cervical Kyphosis
Ankylosing Spondylitis

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American College of Rheumatology: Ankylosing Spondylitis Fact Sheet
Use this fact sheet to answer the question: "What is Ankylosing Spondylitis." Other information includes causes, health impact, diagnosis, treatment, and the rheumatologist's role in treating AS. Contact numbers are provided for the American College of Rheumatology, the Arthritis Foundation, and the North American Spine Society.