It is a chronic inflammatory, progressive and crippling disorder affecting primarily the spine and sacro iliac joints and secondarily the other major joints (hip, knee and shoulder, etc.) in the body. The exact etiology is unclear. How ever genetic predisposition has been observed. It is may be associated with urethritis, ulcerative colitis and conjunctivitis.
The disease has start with intermittent diffuse backache; the patient has stiffness of back which is worse in the morning initially and progress the whole day. Occasionally the pain may radiate to the lower limb(s). The movements of the whole spine are limited. The chest expansion is diminished to less than 5cms due to involvement of costrovertibral joints. In the late stage the whole spine including the cervical spine is rigid and the patient is bent forward. The mobility of other joints will also be diminished in advanced cases.
Physiotherapy plays an important role in the management of this stage throughout its whole course, more so in the initial stages.