Ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease in the pelvis and spine. The disease includes an appearacne of destructive and regenerating bone changes (typically simultaneously), which can lead to hardening, restriction of movement and misalignment.
MB is a disease of the spinal joints (spondyloarthropathies). The affected joints are usually in the lumbar and thoracic spine and the iliac bone. In addition, it can cause inflammation of the iris of the eye and (rarely) other organs.
The patients often develop a typical stooped posture during the course of the disease, sometimes even a hunchback.
The characteristic back pain occurs especially in the early morning (about 5% of all cases).