When to Worry About Joint Stiffness With Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis can cause inflammatory stiffness in the lower back, pelvis, hips, or other joints. It may be worse after rest and ease somewhat with gentle movement. Pain around the heel, ribs, or eyes can also occur. A gradual change may reflect active inflammation, while sudden severe back pain after a fall, new nerve symptoms, or a very different pattern needs a separate assessment.

Keep a record of morning stiffness, night waking, activity tolerance, and changes in pain or mobility. Continue the movement and posture exercises provided by your clinician, but reduce intensity during a painful flare. Avoid prolonged bed rest, which can make stiffness harder to manage. Take prescribed treatment as directed and check before adding pain medicines, especially if you have stomach, kidney, or heart conditions.

Arrange a review if stiffness is steadily worsening, disrupts sleep, limits walking, or is accompanied by new swollen joints, persistent fever, weight change, or unusual fatigue. Seek emergency care after injury if pain is severe, or immediately for new leg weakness, numbness around the groin, loss of bladder or bowel control, or inability to pass urine. These symptoms can signal nerve compression.

Ask whether your pattern suggests active inflammation, whether treatment or physiotherapy should change, and which exercises are appropriate during a flare. Ask how to protect spinal mobility and which nerve symptoms require emergency help.