Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in the joint and ligaments of the spine.

It is also known as axial spondyloarthritis. 

It may also affect peripheral joints like knees, ankles and hips.

Normally the joints and ligaments in the spine help us move and bend if you have ankylosing spondylitis, the inflammation of the joint and tissue of the spine can cause stiffness.In severe cases this may cause the vertebrae to fuse.

It is an inflammatory disease that overtime can cause some of the bone in the spine called vertebrae to fuse.

This fusing makes the spine less flexible and can result in a hunched posture.

If ribs are affected it can be difficult to breathe deeply.

As ankylosing spondylitis worsens, new bone forms as part of the body's attempt to heal.

The new bone gradually bridges the gaps between vertebrae together. Fused vertebrae can flatten the natural curves of the spine, which causes an inflexible, hunched posture.

Axial spondylitis has two types. When the condition is found on x-ray it is called ankylosing spondylitis also known as axial spondylitis. When the condition can not be seen on x-ray but found based on symptoms, blood test and other imaging tests, or is called non radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.

Symptom of ankylosing spondylitis vary from person to person. Some people have mild episode of pain that come and go while others will have chronic, severe pain.

The symptom of ankylosing spondylitis whether mild and severe may worsens in flares and improve during the period of remission.

Risk factor 

Family history present 

Age- generally occurs in late adolescence, in early adulthood.

Most people who have ankylosing spondylitis have HLA-B27gene.

Clinical features 

• The most common symptom of ankylosing spondylitis is lower back, hip pain.
• Symptom typically begin in early adulthood.
• Inflammation can also occur in the other part of the body most commonly in eyes.
• Pain, stiffness and inflammation in the other joint such as ribs, shoulder, knee or feet.
• Skin complaint like psoriasis 
• Difficulty in deep breathe if the joint connecting ribs are affected.
• Vision changes and eye pain due to uveitis which is inflammation of the eyes.
• Fatigue 
• Loss of appetite 
• Loss of weight 
• Abdominal pain and loose bowel movement.

Complications 

Eye inflammation called uveitis 

Compression, fracture 

Management 

• Physiotherapy 
• Exercise 
• Painkiller 
• Phisical therapy to improve flexibility 
• Maintain good posture
• Warm bath 
• Heating pad

Homoeopathic medicine for Ankylosing Spondylitis 

1. Kali carb
2. Kalmia
3. Rhus tox
4. Aesculus