Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Disease description:
Recently, I have been experiencing pain in my lower back, especially feeling stiffness when getting up in the morning. I'm worried about the possibility of ankylosing spondylitis and would like to know what symptoms it typically presents.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the spine and pelvic region, and belongs to the category of seronegative spondyloarthropathies. Its symptoms vary, and mainly include the following aspects:
1. Low back pain: This is the most common symptom of ankylosing spondylitis. The pain is usually located in the lower back, back, or buttocks, often presenting as a dull or aching pain, frequently accompanied by morning stiffness. The pain may be intermittent, but may gradually become persistent as the disease progresses.
2. Morning stiffness: Patients may experience stiffness and limited mobility in the spine and joints upon waking up in the morning. This stiffness requires a prolonged period of activity to alleviate, and this phenomenon can last for more than 30 minutes.
3. Restricted spinal movement: As the disease progresses, the ability of the spine to bend forward, backward, and sideways gradually deteriorates. In some cases, a "bamboo-like" spine may develop, characterized by narrowed intervertebral spaces, vertebral body fusion, and a stiff spine.
4. Peripheral arthritis: Some patients may develop peripheral arthritis, presenting with symptoms such as swelling, pain, and fluid accumulation in joints like the knee or ankle. In addition, heel pain is also a common peripheral joint manifestation.
If the above symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek medical examination at a hospital immediately.
