5 Things You Didn't Know About Ankylosing Spondylitis

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Ankylosing Spondylitis 1. About 1% of American adults have ankylosing spondylitis.Experts believe 5% of people with chronic back pain actually have AS, a form of arthritis primarily affecting the spine. 2. AS doesn’t only impact the spine.People with AS can also have issues with their shoulders, ribs, hips, knees, feet, eyes, bowels, and rarely, the heart and lungs. 3. AS can cause the spine to fuse together.In advanced cases, inflammation in AS can lead to new bones forming, causing parts of the spine to fuse. 4. Men are three times as likely as women to develop AS.And men with AS tend to have pain in the spine and lower back, whereas women typically feel pain in the neck, hips, and knees. 5. There’s no cure for AS, but treatment is effective.Treatment for AS includes physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and medications. Surgery is an option for severe cases. Turn to Healthgrades to connect with the right rheumatologist for treating ankylosing spondylitis. And share this video to help spread the word!