Ankylosing spondylitis begins to affect people as young adults or teenagers, usually between the ages of 17 and 35. It is a chronic form of arthritis that causes overgrowth of bone, which can lead to pain and restricted motion.

Your Sutter physician will be able to detect if ankylosing spondylitis is a possible cause for your symptoms through careful consideration of your patient history and a physical examination. Blood tests and diagnostic imaging can be done to confirm the condition and determine the details of its effect.

The pain and stiffness associated with ankylosing spondylitis can be increasingly debilitating for patients. Although no absolute cure exists, Sutter provides a broad range of treatment options that can relieve symptoms and restore quality of life.

At Sutter, managing ankylosing spondylitis usually involves a multidisciplinary team of specialists including rheumatologists, orthopedists, neurosurgeons and rehabilitation specialists.

For more information, see ankylosing spondylitis in our Healthwise health information section. Additional information is available through the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society, Spondylitis Association of America, The Arthritis Foundation, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and under ankylosing spondylitis in MedlinePlus®, a joint effort of the National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine.

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