According to the Arthritis Foundation, more than 54 million Americans have some form of doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Of these people, some have arthritis in their back and hips. There are several types of arthritis that can affect these areas. One type of arthritis that is specific to the back and hips is ankylosing spondylitis.
What is ankylosing spondylitis?
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that’s often found in the back and hips. With this condition, the joints and ligaments of the spine become inflamed. It can also cause the vertebrae to fuse together over time. As the condition progresses, it can begin to affect other joints in the body, including the hips, shoulders and knees. This condition can also affect the functioning of organs in the body.
What causes ankylosing spondylitis?
Doctors are currently unsure what exactly causes this type of arthritis in the back and hips. One theory is that certain genes in the body cause people to develop ankylosing spondylitis. There is also speculation that the condition could be passed on genetically from parents to children. Other evidence suggests that the condition could also be caused by an infection, and some researchers are currently studying specific bacteria that could be responsible.
What are the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis?
People who have this form of arthritis in the back and hips typically experience several specific symptoms. The most common of these is pain, and the pain tends to develop gradually in the lower back, buttocks and hips over several months. The pain of ankylosing spondylitis also typically gets worse if you remain still for too long, but moving around can help decrease it.
As this condition progresses, it can also lead to a loss of flexibility in the spine, because the condition causes vertebrae to fuse. This fusing can also limit how much your chest can expand, and this means ankylosing spondylitis can make it harder to breathe. This arthritic condition can limit your mobility by inflaming other joints in the body, and it has been linked to a greater risk of heart problems and strokes.
Excel Sports & Physical Therapy can help treat arthritis in the spine and hips
If you have ankylosing spondylitis or other forms of arthritis, our Excel Sports & Physical Therapy team is here to help. We offer free screenings designed to reveal how arthritis is affecting your body. Once we have this information, we can build a personalized therapy plan for you, and your plan may include therapy techniques like:
Take the next step to get our help with your arthritis. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
Our Locations
FAQ
Conditions Library
