What are the symptoms?
People with AS generally begin to experience symptoms at a much earlier age compared with other inflammatory conditions. There is evidence that AS may be inherited – but what triggers the onset of symptoms is not fully understood. The first symptom people with AS typically get is a dull pain in the lower back that comes on gradually over time. The pain is generally felt deep in the buttock and/or in the lower back (lumbar) regions and is accompanied by morning joint stiffness in the same area that lasts for a few hours. These symptoms can improve with exercise, however return when at rest. The pain becomes persistent and is usually worse at night disturbing sleep.
Other physical symptoms associated with AS may include:
- Pain in the back of the thigh
- Pain or tenderness around the joints
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Inflammation in the eye
- Heel pain (enthesitis)
- Fatigue
Further information
For further information about AS, please visit the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS) website