Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis characterized by pain and stiffness in the back and other joints after being sedentary. The disease causes inflammation and can cause eventual fusion of the bones.
Symptoms can be annoying because they mimic other problems. Such symptoms include:
- Lower back stiffness and pain in the morning
- Hip pain
- Neck pain
- Fatigue
The most commonly affected areas include the vertebrae of the back, the joint between the pelvis and spine, and attachment points of ligaments and tendons to bone. These attachments are usually located in the spine but also in the back of the heel. As time progresses, the symptoms could get worse and lead to complications like uveitis, compression fractures, and heart complications. You should see your medical provider if you have buttock pain or lower back pain that is bad in the morning. If the pain awakens you at night but improves with movement, these are classic signs.
