Logan Steele
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in certain parts of the spine. It can lead to stiffness and pain in the spine and large joints. While the exact cause of AS is unknown, researchers believe genetics play a role. AS patients often experience fatigue, back stiffness, fever, depression, and joint pain. In addition, AS flare-ups can cause muscle spasms, with some patients reporting intense spasms in their upper back, shoulder, and neck. These spasms can be constant and may be caused by the weight of the lower back being transferred to the shoulders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in certain parts of the spine. |
| Causes | The exact cause of AS is unknown, but researchers think that genetics play a role. A gene called HLA-B27 is found in most white Americans with AS. |
| Symptoms | Lower back pain, stiffness, fatigue, fever, depression, joint pain, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss, and muscle spasms. |
| Complications | Cauda equina syndrome, osteoporosis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and eye inflammation. |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis starts with a health history and physical exam. Tests may include X-rays, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and genetic testing. |
| Treatment | Treatment goals include controlling inflammation, decreasing pain, maintaining function, and preventing deformity. Treatment options include medication, gentle exercise, heat or cold therapy, and muscle relaxers. |
| Prognosis | There is no cure for AS. Lifestyle changes, staying active, and exercise can help improve quality of life. |
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What You'll Learn
- Ankylosing spondylitis flare-ups can cause muscle spasms
- The condition causes inflammation of the spine and large joints
- It can lead to osteoporosis and new bone formation in the spine
- It may cause cauda equina syndrome, resulting in severe lower back pain
- IBS and IBD are more common in people with ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis flare-ups can cause muscle spasms
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in certain parts of the spine. The exact cause of AS is unknown, but researchers suspect that genetics play a role. AS patients typically experience intermittent aching pain in their lower backs, stiffness, and fatigue.
AS flare-ups can cause muscle spasms, which can be intense and constant. These spasms can occur in the upper back, shoulders, neck, and legs. They can be aggravated by movement and physical activity, and may cause severe pain and discomfort. The muscles alongside the spine can magnify the pain if they go into spasm, making it even more challenging to move the lower back.
AS patients may also experience headaches and eye inflammation (iritis) due to discomfort when looking at light. In addition, AS can lead to intestinal issues, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
AS flare-ups can also cause emotional symptoms, with up to 75% of people experiencing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety during these episodes. This may be attributed to the physical and mental strain caused by the pain and stiffness associated with AS.
Managing AS flare-ups involves medication, gentle exercise, heat or cold therapy, and other treatments. It is crucial to work with a healthcare provider to develop an effective treatment plan and make necessary lifestyle changes to improve one's quality of life.
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The condition causes inflammation of the spine and large joints
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in certain parts of the spine and large joints. The word 'ankylosing' means stiff or rigid, 'spondyl' refers to the spine, and 'itis' means inflammation. The disease causes stiffness and pain in the spine and large joints, and may damage the joint between the spine and the hipbone, known as the sacroiliac joint. This damage can result in bony bridges forming between vertebrae in the spine, fusing those bones together. Bones in the chest may also fuse.
The exact cause of AS is unknown, but researchers suspect that genetics play a role. A gene called HLA-B27 is found in most white Americans with AS, but only 50% of African Americans with the condition. Many people with the HLA-B27 gene do not develop AS. Less than 5% of people with this gene will develop AS.
The typical ankylosing spondylitis patient initially experiences a moderate degree of intermittent aching pain in their lower back. The muscles on the side of the spine can magnify this discomfort if they go into spasm. The lower back becomes more difficult to move, and breathing may be affected if movement of the ribs becomes painful. In a majority of patients, the initial symptoms are lower back pain and stiffness. Another common location for inflammation is the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia on the bottom of the foot. Ankylosing spondylitis is more than a skeletal disease. Iritis, a form of eye inflammation, occurs in about 25% of patients.
People with AS are at a greater risk of osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones, which can result in spinal fractures. In more advanced cases, inflammation leads to new bone formation in the spine, causing parts of the spine to fuse together and resulting in immobility. AS can also lead to psoriasis and inflammation of the eye, aortic valve, and intestinal tract.
There is no cure for AS, so it is important to work with a healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan. Lifestyle changes, staying active, and exercise can help to improve quality of life and reduce pain.
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It can lead to osteoporosis and new bone formation in the spine
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in certain parts of the spine. The inflammation results in stiffness and pain. The disease may damage the joint between the spine and the hipbone, known as the sacroiliac joint.
AS is associated with an elevated risk of osteoporosis, or the loss of mineral density from bones. This is especially common in people with AS. Osteoporosis usually doesn't present any symptoms until a bone is fractured. The development of osteoporosis in AS patients may be influenced by genetic factors, such as the VDR and RANKL genes, which are thought to speed up bone breakdown. Additionally, decreased physical activity and joint inflammation in AS patients may contribute to the increased risk of osteoporosis.
In more severe cases of AS, inflammation can lead to new bone formation in the spine, a process known as syndesmophyte formation. This pathologic new bone growth can interfere with the assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) in the spine, making the diagnosis of spinal osteoporosis challenging. The new bone formations occur in the cortical zone of the vertebrae, the zygapophyseal joints, and the ligamentous apparatus.
The presence of osteoporosis and new bone formations in AS patients can significantly impact their quality of life, causing immobility and severe limitations in their movement. Therefore, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment plans are crucial for managing AS and its complications.
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It may cause cauda equina syndrome, resulting in severe lower back pain
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the spine, resulting in stiffness and pain. This inflammation can lead to new bone formation in the spine, causing parts of it to fuse together and resulting in immobility. AS patients often experience lower back pain and stiffness as initial symptoms.
In rare cases, AS can cause cauda equina syndrome (CES), a severe complication that results in lower back pain and other issues. CES occurs when nerve roots at the bottom of the spine are compressed, often due to a herniated disc. While the cause of CES is unknown, it is marked by a slow progression and a high incidence of dural ectasia in the lumbosacral spine. Symptoms of CES include pain and numbness in the lower back, buttocks, groin, and legs, which can range from pins and needles to complete numbness. It may also cause bladder, bowel, or sexual dysfunction and leg weakness, making walking difficult.
CES is considered a medical emergency, typically requiring urgent surgery. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help with the back pain, but they do not improve neurological deficits. Surgical treatment options include lumboperitoneal shunting or laminectomy, which may improve neurological dysfunction or prevent further progression.
It is important to note that the presence of a herniated disc does not necessarily indicate CES. Research has shown that a focus on diagnosing herniated discs can delay the proper diagnosis and treatment of AS. Therefore, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
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IBS and IBD are more common in people with ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic form of inflammatory arthritis that causes pain and stiffness in the joints, particularly the joints, ligaments, and tendons of the spine. It is an autoimmune-related chronic inflammation of the structures of the spine that can destroy tissues. It is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in certain parts of the spine and large joints, resulting in stiffness and pain. The disease may damage the joint between the spine and the hipbone, called the sacroiliac joint. AS can also lead to inflammation of the eye, aortic valve, and intestinal tract.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the collective term for ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), two separate conditions that cause chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) system. IBD causes inflammation in the body, while IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, does not.
It is found that people with AS are more likely to have IBD. A 20-year follow-up study from 2017 reported that people who received an IBD diagnosis were more likely to report AS, axSpA, and inflammatory back pain in the following 20 years. A systematic research review from 2023 also found that people diagnosed with UC were more likely to develop AS in the future. A 13-year population-based cohort study from 2020 indicated a higher risk of IBD among people with AS under the age of 40 years.
The reason behind the link between AS and IBD is not fully understood, but experts believe that shared genetic pathways play an important role. Both AS and IBD are considered immune-mediated conditions, meaning unusual immune system activity is involved in their development and progression. The HLA-B27 gene has been identified as a possible genetic link between the two conditions. Changes in this gene may increase the risk of developing both IBD and AS.
In addition to IBD, people with AS may also experience irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). One study found that 30% of people with AS had IBS with diarrhea or constipation. Another study showed that up to 40% of people with AS had digestive problems that met the criteria for a functional bowel disorder, such as IBS. The exact connection between AS and IBS is not yet well understood, but it is believed that AS, as an inflammatory condition, can affect the digestive system.
While AS and IBD are treatable, it is important to prioritize self-care and adopt health-promoting lifestyle habits to manage life with this dual diagnosis.
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Frequently asked questions
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in certain parts of the spine. It can also affect other parts of the body, such as the eyes, aortic valve, and intestinal tract.
The symptoms of AS include back pain, stiffness, fatigue, fever, depression, and joint pain. In some cases, AS can also cause eye inflammation (iritis), making it uncomfortable to look at light.
Yes, ankylosing spondylitis can cause muscle spasms. The muscles on the side of the spine can go into spasm, and the lower back can become more difficult to move.
There is no cure for AS, so treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing flare-ups. Treatment options include medication, gentle exercise, heat or cold therapy, and lifestyle changes such as staying active and maintaining good posture.
In advanced cases of AS, inflammation can lead to new bone formation in the spine, causing parts of the spine to fuse together and resulting in immobility. AS can also increase the risk of osteoporosis, which can lead to spinal fractures.
