Synonyms: rheumatoid spondylitis, Marie-Strümpell disease, von Bechterew's disease
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic seronegative spondyloarthropathy which primarily involves the axial skeleton (ie sacroiliitis and spondylitis). The aetiology is unknown but involves the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. The diagnosis is made by combining clinical criteria of inflammatory back pain and enthesitis (inflammation at the site of bone insertion of ligaments and tendons) or arthritis with radiological findings.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original article at https://patient.info/doctor/orthopaedics/ankylosing-spondylitis-pro