Advanced Treatments for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing Spondylitis, or AS, is an auto-immune disease, or a disease in which the immune system malfunctions and attacks the body’s tissues, creating chronic inflammation. AS tends to attack the spine, large joints (such as the hips), and periphery joints (knees, ankles), causing pain and stiffness. Over time, the inflammation leads to joint erosion, deformities, and abnormal bone growth. When untreated, abnormal bone growth can lead to a bamboo spine, spinal stenosis, thoracic outlet syndrome, and chronic pain. This often results in loss of function and decreases the patient’s quality of life and ability to remain a productive member of society. Although there are treatments to slow the progression of AS, it remains an incurable disease.