Glossary On Complications

Are these signs I’m getting worse?

Ankylosing spondylitis runs a variable course in most patients with periods of remissions and relapses. The arthritis and other symptoms may gradually worsen over a period of time but most people remain functional unless severely disabled by the pain or immobilized due to fusion of the joints.

The complications of Ankylosing spondylitis vary from patient to patient and some of them are:

• A stiff, inflexible spine: Also called as bamboo spine, this is caused due to fusion of the vertebrae of the spine rendering the joints immobile. This can cause significant discomfort while walking, standing, performing other day-to-day activities.
• Restricted breathing: This can be a potentially dangerous situation in advanced cases where the bones of the rib cage fuse and restrict movement of the chest while breathing. This prevents the lungs from expanding fully during respiration.
• Eye inflammation (Uveitis): This condition is marked by rapid onset of eye pain, increased sensitivity to light and blurred vision.
• Heart problems: Stenosis (narrowing) of the aortic valve of the heart
• Inflammatory bowel disease can occur in cases where the inflammation involves the bowels
• Anemia: A condition in which the blood has less than normal number of red blood cells.