This is a chronic inflammatory form of arthritis which affects the spinal joints. The main and the most important feature is that in this form of arthritis the joints between the spine and the pelvis get inflicted. This form of arthritis causes back ache and stiffness in the back as well as a hunched up body posture. In very severe cases there might be inflammations around the tendons and ligaments that connect and provide support to joints that lead to pain and tenderness in the shoulder blades and the spinal cord. Ankylosing Spondylitis can also impair mobility by creating inflammation of the vertebra.
This ailment can have confusing symptoms since there can be varied kinds of manifestations. While some individuals suffer bouts of transient back ache only while others suffer chronic back aches that lead to differing degrees of back ache and stiffness.
Colloquially, Ankylosing Spondylitis is referred to as poker back and rheumatoid Spondylitis. It is only about five decades back that this ailment got the name that is now prevalent. Since this ailment belongs to the family of diseases that attack the spine it is also referred to as, in medical jargon as spondylarthropathies.
You must keep in mind that men are three times more at a risk of acquiring this disease than women. This ailment also attacks youngsters more than older people, contrary to popular belief.