Other Forms of Arthritis : Ankylosing Spondylitis

In this type of arthritis the small joints of spine and the sacroiliac joints are affected first. Pain in the lower back and legs is often one of the first symptoms. The hips and shoulders may become involved. The spine may become progressively stiffer. If untreated, the spine may develop such a curvature that the sufferer must stand in a stooped position. Delayed or inappropriate treatment can make this one of the most crippling forms of arthritis.This disease differs from osteoarthritis of the spine in several ways. 

First, it often affects young adults between the ages of 20 and 30. It affects more men than women. This is an inflammatory disease, whereas osteoarthritis is a non-inflammatory disease. 

In Ankylosing spondylitis complications can involve the eyes, heart, and in rare cases the lungs. About one-quarter of the people with this disease have eye complications. 

These can be controlled if detected and treated early.If the disease progresses very far up the spine, the ribs can also became involved at the point where they join the spine and this reduces the sufferer’s ability to breathe because of the constriction of the lungs. Chest infection is then an ever present possibility.

The jaws may be affected causing difficulty in eating and speaking. Early diagnosis and treatment of Ankylosing spondylitis often permits control of the disease, with avoidance of a great deal of discomfort and the possibility of deformity. The disease usually runs its course in several years. 

Although some stiffness may remain after a few years,the disease does not become progressively worse, as do certain arthritic conditions.While the cause of Ankylosing spondylitis is unknown,heredity is a major factor. About 90 percent of all people with this disease have a genetic marker known as HLA B27. While many people have this genetic marker, however, not all of them will develop this disease.