What in the world is ankylosing spondylitis?

Joint inflammation: Ankylosing spondylitis is a long-term disease that causes inflammation of the joints between the spinal bones, and the joints between the spine and pelvis. It eventually causes the affected spinal bones to join together ("bamboo spine"). Cause unknown. Associated with hla-b27 antigen. Symptoms of night/morning stiffness better with exercise. Can also have eye and heart involvement.

Inflammatory spine : Inflammatory disease predominantly of the vertebral column, which eventually causes loss of all back and neck motion and may affect the eyes and other parts of the body. Early initiation of treatment is important.