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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffAnkylosing spondylitis doesn't follow a set course. The severity of symptoms and development of complications vary widely from person to person. Complications may include:
- Difficulty walking or standing. Typically, ankylosing spondylitis begins with soreness in your lower back. As the disease progresses, the affected bones may fuse together, rendering your joints immobile and causing a stiff, inflexible spine (bamboo spine). This can make walking or standing difficult. Your joints may fuse even if you undergo proper treatment — and once joints fuse, additional treatment won't help restore mobility. However, if fusion occurs with your spine in an upright position, you can remain more able to perform activities of daily living.
- Difficulty breathing. Inflammation can also spread up your spine and cause the bones in your rib cage to fuse. This results in breathing problems. When your ribs can't move when you breathe, it's difficult to fully inflate your lungs. However, unless you have an unrelated lung condition, you may be able to continue your everyday activities without experiencing shortness of breath.
- Eye inflammation (uveitis). This complication occurs in up to 40 percent of people with ankylosing spondylitis. It can cause rapid-onset eye pain, sensitivity to light and blurred vision. See your doctor right away if you develop these symptoms.
- Heart problems. If the inflammation reaches your heart, you can develop valve problems, such as inflammation of the body's largest artery (aorta), also known as aortitis. Another possible complication is aortic valve regurgitation, which occurs when the aortic ring and aortic valve are distorted.
Inflammation can also involve other parts of your body, resulting in conditions such as:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Anemia
References
- Yu DT, Patient information: Ankylosing spondylitis, http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 10, 2008.
- Mercier LR, Ankylosing spondylitis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/109354214-4/0/1701/48.html?printing=true. Accessed Nov. 5, 2008.
- Ankylosing spondylitis. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=ankylosingspondylitis. Accessed Nov. 6, 2008.
- Taurog JD. The Spondyloarthritides: Anklyosing Spondylitis. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2862756&searchStr=ankylosing+spondylitis. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Song IH. Benefits and risks of ankylosing spondylitis treatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2008;58(4):929-938.
- Yu DT. Treatment and prognosis of ankylosing spondylitis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 10, 2008.
