Chennai: In the absence of right treatment, Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) leads to structural damage, which can bend the spine and neck to an extent that it may become impossible for one to lift their head high enough to see forward. It is known as ‘structural damage progression.’
With a male to female ratio of 4:1, this condition affects the younger age group, most commonly males in their early 20s to 40s. Along with restricted spinal movements, clinical examinations have also revealed AS decreases chest expansion while breathing, a press release said.
Ankylosing Spondylitis is an irreversible, inflammatory and autoimmune disease that affects the spinal cord. Also known as arthritis of the spine, it occurs when an overgrowth of the bones results in the spine’s bones to fuse together and the spine to become rigid.
According to Dr S Ramakrishnan, senior consultant rheumatologist, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, “If anyone is experiencing pain and stiffness inĀ the lower back or buttocks late in the night or early in the morning it would be Ankylosing Spondylitis. The lower back pain becomes better with activity. Ankylosing Spondylitis predominantly affects males than females, in the age group of 20 to 40 years. While the pain can be reduced through pain killers and exercises, these do not guarantee long term pain relief and prevention of structural damage.”
“When Ankylosing SpondylitisĀ is left untreated it leads to back stiffness resulting in significant physical disability. Unfortunately, in India due to lack of public awareness of this disease, patients often seek consultation from a rheumatologist 6-7 year after the onset of the disease. By this time, patients have suffered significant physical disability. Early treatment will prevent disease progression and patients will experience a good quality of life,” Dr. Ramakrishnan added.