How common is joint stiffness in ankylosing spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis can cause inflammatory stiffness in the lower back, buttocks, hips or other joints. It may be worse in the morning or after sitting and may ease as you gently move. Pain can alternate between the buttocks, and stiffness can return after inactivity. Some people also develop swelling or pain in peripheral joints, such as the knees or ankles.

Joint stiffness has many possible causes, so the symptom alone cannot identify ankylosing spondylitis. A clinician combines your symptom pattern with an examination, medical history and, when appropriate, imaging or blood tests.

Keep a brief record of when stiffness appears, how long it lasts, which areas are affected and whether movement helps. Gentle daily movement, posture changes and a physiotherapy plan can help preserve mobility when suitable for you. Discuss persistent or worsening symptoms with a rheumatology or primary-care clinician so the cause and treatment plan can be reviewed.

Arrange urgent assessment for new weakness, numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or severe back pain after an injury. Seek prompt care for a painful red eye with light sensitivity or blurred vision, because this can accompany inflammatory disease. Fever with severe spinal or joint pain also needs quick medical review.

Ask whether your stiffness has an inflammatory pattern, which exercises are appropriate, and whether your current treatment needs review. Ask what symptoms should prompt urgent contact and whether eye, hip or other joint symptoms change the assessment.