Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that affects the spine. If you’ve recently received a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis, you’ll likely have a lot of questions for your doctor.

These questions might include possible treatments and other basics about your condition.

Here are the answers to some of the most common ankylosing spondylitis questions. You may wish to take this discussion guide with you to your next doctor’s appointment to use as a conversation starter.

Ankylosing spondylitis is both an autoimmune type of arthritis and a chronic (long-term) inflammatory disease. An autoimmune disease develops when your body attacks its own healthy tissues.

Ankylosing spondylitis is also an inflammatory condition that involves inflamed or swollen joints. It often affects joints and bones in the spine and lower back. The spinal bones can fuse together over time.

There is currently no cure for ankylosing spondylitis, but treatments are available to help manage symptoms.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine and the sacroiliac joints in the pelvis. Like other types of arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis causes pain and swelling in the joints.

This condition affects the bones of the spine (vertebrae) and joints in the lower back. It also causes swelling where the tendons and ligaments attach to bones in your spine. Your doctor might call this enthesitis.

Pain and discomfort from ankylosing spondylitis can lead to symptoms in other joints, such as your shoulders and hips.

More than 8 out of 10 people, or 80%, with ankylosing spondylitis carry the HLA-B27 gene. The prevalence of this gene varies in different ethnic populations. This compares with around 6% to 8% of the general population in the United States.

It is possible to have the HLA-B27 gene but not have ankylosing spondylitis.

Your doctor will likely start by asking about your symptoms and any family history of ankylosing spondylitis.

An exam can reveal symptoms in your spine such as:

  • pain
  • tenderness
  • stiffness

The doctor may then send you for an X-ray or MRI scan. Both tests can show damage to bones and soft tissues in your spine. An MRI creates more detailed images, and it can show damage earlier in the disease than an X-ray.

Another way to assist in diagnosing this condition is with a blood test for the HLA-B27 gene.

Your primary care doctor might first suspect ankylosing spondylitis or may actually confirm the diagnosis.

After this, they may refer you to a rheumatologist. This type of doctor specializes in diseases of the joints, bones, and muscles.

A rheumatologist might be your go-to doctor for treatment.

Other specialists that can help you manage your symptoms include:

  • physical therapists to help improve joint function
  • occupational therapists to help you to make changes to your everyday routine or activities
  • mental health professionals to help provide emotional support and coping mechanisms
  • dermatologists to help with symptoms affecting the skin, nails, or hair
  • gastroenterologists to help with symptoms caused by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract
  • ophthalmologist to help with symptoms such as uveitis, or swelling of the eye’s middle layer
  • orthopaedic surgeons if you require surgery

Ankylosing spondylitis treatment may involve:

  • medications
  • physical therapy or exercises
  • lifestyle changes

Most people with ankylosing spondylitis don’t need surgery unless their joints are very damaged.

A doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

Surgery for ankylosing spondylitis may be an option for people with severe joint damage. A joint replacement removes a damaged joint and replaces it with an artificial one.

Several procedures might be suitable based on the symptoms and imaging findings. These include:

  • Osteotomy: This involves cutting bone to straighten your spine and correct your posture.
  • Laminectomy: This surgery relieves pressure on nerve roots by removing the lamina, part of the bone that forms the spine’s vertebral arch.

Physical therapy for ankylosing spondylitis teaches you exercises, such as posture exercises, to:

  • improve your flexibility
  • increase your range of motion
  • decrease pain

A 2018 review of studies found that, for people with ankylosing spondylitis, moderate exercise helped relieve their symptoms and improved their ability to perform daily activities.

Most people with ankylosing spondylitis have no complications.

For some people, there may be complications such as:

  • fusion of the spinal bones and a forward curving of the spine
  • weakening of the bones (osteoporosis) and fractures
  • eye inflammation called uveitis
  • cardiovascular disease
  • cauda equina syndrome, a very rare complication that compresses the nerves at the bottom of the spine
  • amyloidosis, another rare condition in which the protein amyloid, found in your bone marrow, builds up in your heart, kidneys, or other organs

Symptoms that get worse can mean your treatment isn’t working as well as it should or if your ankylosing spondylitis is progressing.

For example, your spine might feel stiffer or more painful than usual, or you might begin to experience symptoms in other joints. Excess tiredness or fatigue is another sign of inflammation.

If you experience any new or worsening symptoms, contact your doctor right away. They might recommend a change in your treatment plan to help relieve your discomfort and prevent your condition from getting worse.

There’s currently no cure for ankylosing spondylitis.

However, a combination of medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes can improve your symptoms and maybe slow the rate of joint damage.

A doctor will tell you your next steps based on your symptoms.

If you have received a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis, asking your doctor questions can help you to better understand the condition. Knowing more about ankylosing spondylitis can also help with managing your symptoms.

If you still have questions, make sure you ask your doctor at your next appointment. This can help you get the treatment you need to prevent your condition from getting worse.