Spondyloarthritis

Spondyloarthritis, or spondyloarthropathy, is an inflammatory arthritis affecting the spine. The main symptom (what you feel) in most patients is low back pain. This occurs most often in axial spondyloarthritis. Many people with axial spondyloarthritis progress to having some degree of spinal fusion, known as ankylosing spondylitis. In a minority of patients, the major symptoms are pain and swelling in large joints of the arms and legs. This type is known as peripheral spondyloarthritis.

Spondyloarthritis often inflames the entheses, the sites where ligaments and tendons enter bone. Spondyloarthritis more often affects males in their teens or 20s. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is associated with the HLA-B27 gene. Psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis and enteropathic arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are types of spondyloarthritis.

The information in the diseases and conditions fact sheets is for general education only. Please consult your rheumatologist for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment of your unique medical condition. To learn more about Spondyloarthritis and up to date guidance, please visit American College of Rheumatology from the following link.