This inflammatory arthritic condition commonly affects the sacroiliac joints and causes progressive spinal ankylosing/fusion. Men are predominately three times more affected than women but the earlier the onset of this condition, the more this disease progresses.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Low back pain with gradual stiffness upon rising.
- Low back pain can radiate pain into the buttocks, anterior and posterior thighs.
- Evidence of a loss of lumbar lordosis, increased thoracic kyphosis and a decrease in chest expansion due to costotransverse joint involvement.
- Patients may also develop permanent changes in peripheral joints such as hips, shoulders and knees.