Ankylosing spondylitis

Updated: 2019-11-08

Overview

Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that fuses spinal vertebrae together.

Symptoms

It can cause a hunched-forward posture. If ribs are affected, breathing deeply may be hard. Symptoms typically appear in early adulthood.

Treatments

Treatment includes medication and physical therapy and, in rare cases, surgery.