Tristate Arthritis & Rheumatology

Quality Compassionate Care

Appointments: 859-331-3100
Make a Payment
Location Contact
  • Home
  • About Our Practice
    • Practice Information
    • Our Staff
    • On-Site Services
      • On-site Infusion Center
      • Physical Therapy
        • Most Commonly Treated Conditions in Physical Therapy
        • The Physical Therapy Staff
        • Dos and Don’ts for Proper Posture
      • Diagnostic Laboratory
      • Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
    • Tips, Trends, & News
    • Job Opportunities
  • About Our Doctors
    • Kerrin D. Burte, MD
    • Joseph E. Temming, MD
    • Liza R. Varghese, MD
    • Lee Colglazier, MD
    • Malini Juyal, MD
    • Ann George, MD
    • M. Blair Whitaker, PA-C
    • Srilatha Raghur, PA-C
    • Arthur M. Kunath, MD, Emeritus
  • What is Rheumatology?
    • What is a Rheumatologist?
    • What is Arthritis?
    • What is Autoimmune Disease?
  • Conditions We Treat
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Knee Arthritis
    • Shoulder Pain
    • Autoimmune Disease
    • Gout
    • Other Conditions We Treat
  • Testimonials
  • Patient Resources
    • Disease Information Sheets
    • Medication Information Sheets
    • Patient Support Services
    • Downloadable Forms

What is Ankylosing Spondylitis? What Are the Symptoms and How Do You Treat Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that can cause some of the vertebrae in your spine to fuse over time, making the spine less flexible and causing people to hunched-forward in their posture. When Ankylosing spondylitis affects the ribs it can be tough to breathe deeply. Symptoms usually show in early adulthood and it affects men more than women.  People’s eyes can become inflamed due to Ankylosing spondylitis and currently there is no cure. There are treatments that can lessen your symptoms and slow down the disease. 

Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Symptoms could include pain and stiffness in your lower back and hips, especially after periods of inactivity. Fatigue and neck pain are other symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis. Symptoms can improve, stop, or get worse in irregular intervals.

Most people are affected in the following areas of the body…

  • Between the base of the spine and pelvis (sacroiliac)
  • The vertebrae in the lower back
  • Where tendons and ligaments attach to bones, mainly in the spine, but sometimes along the back of the heel
  • Cartilage area between the breastbone and ribs
  • Hip and shoulder joints

Causes of Ankylosing Spondylitis

There aren’t and known causes but it seems that genetic factors are to blame. People with the gene HLA-B27 are a more risk of developing the problem than others.

Risk Factors for Ankylosing Spondylitis

  • Men are more likely to have a problem
  • People get ankylosing spondylitis in their late adolescence or early adulthood.
  • People with the HLA-B27 gene

Complications Caused by Ankylosing Spondylitis

  • Fusing – With severe cases of ankylosing spondylitis, new bones can form by accident, due to the body trying to heal itself, causing vertebrae to be fused together.  This fusion can stiffen your rib cage can make breathing harder than normal.
  • Eye inflammation (uveitis) – Rapid eye pain, light sensitivity, and blurred vision.
  • Compression Fractures – Bones can thin and weakened vertebrae can crumble which will cause people to bend forward. Fractures in the vertebrae can put pressure on and possibly injure the spinal cord and the nerves that pass through the spine.
  • Heart Problems –  Ankylosing spondylitis can cause problems with your aorta, the largest artery in your body. The inflamed aorta can enlarge to the point that it distorts the shape of the aortic valve in the heart, which impairs its function.

For persistent pain that is interfering with your daily activities, see a rheumatologist to make the correct diagnosis and begin the proper treatment.

Contact Us (859-331-3100) For More Information to Request an Appointment

—

Tristate Arthritis & Rheumatology - Quality Compassionate CareAbout Tristate Arthritis and Rheumatology

Tristate Arthritis and Rheumatology is first and largest Rheumatology practice in the Northern Kentucky area. Founded by Dr. Arthur Kunath in 1986, our rheumatology practice now consists of six doctors who are board certified in both Internal Medicine and Rheumatology and a Physician Assistant. Patients see one doctor (except in emergencies), thereby assuring continuity of care and an individualized doctor-patient atmosphere giving the physician the ability to establish personalized and detailed relationships. Our doctors have received numerous awards, including being listed as “Top Doctors” in Cincinnati Magazine, receiving the Patient’s Choice Award, the Most Compassionate Doctor Award, and the American College of Rheumatology’s “My Doc Rocks” award.
>> Learn More

Recent Posts

  • What To Expect During Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment…
  • 6 Types of Hip Pain And Their Symptoms…
  • Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of Shoulder Pain, Tendonitis, Rotator Cuff Tears, Bursitis, Arthritis, and Frozen Shoulder…
  • What Are the Symptoms of Knee Arthritis? How Do You Treat Knee Arthritis?
  • Types of Yoga That Can Help Relieve Symptoms and Promote Relaxation In People Who Have Arthritis…

Posts by Category

  • Arthritis (32)
    • Ankylosing Spondylitis (1)
    • Gouty Arthritis (Gout) (3)
    • Hand Pain (3)
    • Hip Arthritis (3)
    • Inflammatory Arthritis (4)
      • Ankylosing Spondylitis (2)
    • Knee Arthritis (5)
    • Osteoarthritis (8)
    • Psoriatic Arthritis (1)
    • Reactive Arthritis (2)
    • Wrist Pain (2)
  • Autoimmune Diseases (4)
    • Lupus (1)
  • Bursitis (4)
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (1)
  • Conditions (6)
  • Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (1)
  • Diet Advice (2)
  • Elbow Pain (4)
  • Heel Pain (1)
  • Hip Pain (5)
  • Hip Replacement (1)
  • News (2)
  • Physical Therapy (4)
  • Plantar Fasciitis (1)
  • Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) (2)
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (1)
  • Rheumatology (2)
  • Shoulder Pain (6)
    • Bursitis (2)
    • Frozen Shoulder (2)
    • Rotator Cuff Tear (2)
    • Shoulder Arthritis (1)
    • Tendinitis (1)
  • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (1)
  • Tendinitis (1)
  • Traveling With Arthritis Tips (1)

Contact Us

Tristate Arthritis & Rheumatology
2616 Legends Way
Crestview Hills, KY 41017

For Appointments call: 859-331-3100
Fax: 859-331-9147
Monday-Friday 8am – 5pm

On-site Services

  • On-site Infusion Center
  • Physical Therapy
  • Diagnostic Laboratory
  • Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Stay Informed

On-site Services

  • On-site Infusion Center
  • Physical Therapy
  • Diagnostic Laboratory
  • Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

Contact Us

Tristate Arthritis & Rheumatology
2616 Legends Way
Crestview Hills, KY 41017

For Appointments call: 859-331-3100
Fax: 859-331-9147
Monday-Friday 8am – 5pm

TOP DOCTORS

Voted Cincinnati Magazine’s top rheumatology doctors 6 years in a row.


  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Sitemap • Terms and Conditions • Privacy Policy • Section 1557 Notice

 

Copyright © 2023 • Tristate Arthritis & Rheumatology • Internet Presence by Main Street Marketing