Effects of ankylosing spondylitis: what to know

Inflammation often causes back or buttock pain and morning joint stiffness that improves with movement rather than rest. Over time, spinal joints may become less flexible, affecting bending, turning and comfortable posture. Joint stiffness can also affect the hips, shoulders or other areas, and reduced range of motion may make dressing, driving or prolonged sitting harder.

Symptoms can fluctuate. Fatigue, disturbed sleep and reduced activity may compound stiffness, while some people also develop inflammation in areas outside the joints. New eye pain with light sensitivity, chest symptoms or marked bowel changes deserve medical advice.

A rheumatology and physiotherapy plan may combine movement practice, posture work, breathing exercises and medication. Exercise therapy helps maintain spinal and hip mobility; hydrotherapy can make gentle movement more comfortable for some people. Anti-inflammatory medication may be suitable for certain patients after a clinician reviews health conditions and other medicines. Break up long periods of sitting and use a routine you can repeat consistently.

Contact your clinician when stiffness, pain or fatigue is worsening, limiting movement or disturbing sleep despite your plan. Seek urgent care after significant spinal trauma, new weakness or numbness in the legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, or sudden painful red vision.

Ask which symptoms suggest active inflammation, how to measure spinal movement, and which exercises suit your current mobility. Ask about medication monitoring, work adaptations and when eye, bowel or chest symptoms need separate assessment.