Ankylosing Spondylitis Health Center

Symptoms usually begin with chronic pain and stiffness in the mid-spine, lower spine, or entire spine with referred pain to the buttocks and the back of the thigh. Pain typically occurs at night or during periods of inactivity, and may improve with activity and exercise. Additionally, about 40% of patients will experience inflammation in the eyes (iritis, uveitis) which can cause redness, pain, and vision loss. Fatigue, nausea, and weight loss are common, as well as join pain and swelling in the knees, shoulders, and ankles. Breathing may sometimes become difficult because the stiffening of the spinal joints will also affect the ribs, leading to difficulty expanding the chest for full inspiration. Some patients (although rare) may suffer cardiac problems such as aortic regurgitation and heart block. The lungs may show fibrosis as well.