Yes, living with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can be hard due to chronic pain, stiffness, fatigue, and potential impact on daily activities, work, and mental health, but with early diagnosis, consistent treatment (medication, exercise, physical therapy), and lifestyle adjustments, most people can manage symptoms, maintain quality of life, and live productive lives.
Almost all people with ankylosing spondylitis can expect to lead normal and productive lives. Despite the chronic nature of the illness, only a few people with ankylosing spondylitis will become severely disabled.
July 18, 2025
A new peer-reviewed study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology suggests that ivarmacitinib, a new medication known as a selective JAK1 inhibitor, may be a promising treatment for people with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The study was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.
Ankylosing Spondylitis Recovery Time
Full recovery: 6–12 months to regain strength, flexibility, and good posture.
With modern treatments, AS does not normally affect life expectancy significantly, although the condition is associated with an increased risk of other potentially life-threatening problems.
AS is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes chronic pain and stiffness in the back and neck. These symptoms can temporarily flare up. Flare-up triggers include physical inactivity, poor posture, eating inflammatory foods, and smoking.
HLA-B27 positivity alone is not life‑threatening. Most carriers never develop disease, but it increases risk for inflammatory conditions (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis, uveitis) that can cause chronic pain, functional problems, and rare complications if untreated. Early diagnosis and treatment lower risks.
Ankylosing Spondylitis: Steps To Prevent It From Getting Worse
Most people with ankylosing spondylitis or nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis do not need surgery. Surgery may be recommended if you have severe pain or if a hip joint is so damaged that it needs to be replaced.
Due to the extent of the symptoms of AS, it is possible to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The SSA's listing indicates that, in order to qualify, a certain amount of ankylosing (fixation or fusing of bone material) must have taken place already.
Diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis. A rheumatologist is commonly the type of physician who will diagnose ankylosing spondylitis (AS), since they are doctors who are specially trained in diagnosing and treating disorders that affect the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue, and bones.
For long-term treatment, biologics are generally considered safer than prolonged steroid use. While steroids work quickly to reduce inflammation, they can cause serious side effects when used long-term, including: Bone loss and increased fracture risk. Weight gain and swelling.
A positive test means HLA-B27 is present. It suggests a greater-than-average risk for developing or having certain autoimmune disorders. An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue.
Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect and can be taken as injections by people with AS. If a particular joint is inflamed, corticosteroids can be injected directly into the joint. You'll need to rest the joint for up to 48 hours after the injection.
Routine movement can assist individuals with spondylitis maintain joint flexibility, reduce pain and even elevate mood. We understand that stiff joints can bog you down, so a wise gym regime can keep you moving more freely and living more comfortably.
Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a rheumatic inflammatory disease with unknown etiology, and fatigue is one of the main systemic symptoms of AS. The aim of the current study was to explore the mechanism of AS-associated fatigue (ASF) from multiple aspects, including neuropsychological changes.
Flying can be exhausting, and with a disease like ankylosing spondylitis you may experience increased symptoms like fatigue, pain, inflammation, and lower immunity. Knowing this in advance can empower you to prepare well for a successful flight and trip.
L4-L5 spondylolisthesis is most often caused by spinal degeneration. With age, the spinal structures naturally weaken and break down. This can compromise the stability of the spine and trigger the vertebral slippage associated with lumbar spondylolisthesis.
Functional outcome. All studies reported a significant improvement in hip function, patient satisfaction and patient mobility following bilateral THA.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation in certain parts of the spine. A gene may be part of the cause of AS. But an exact cause is unknown. Symptoms of AS include back pain, early morning stiffness, and a stooped posture.
Ankylosing spondylitis is more severe than other forms of arthritis because it primarily affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, leading to significant pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Unlike rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, AS causes chronic inflammation and long-term joint damage.
AS can run in families, and the HLA-B27 gene variant can be inherited from another family member. If you have AS and tests show you carry the HLA-B27 gene variant then there is a 1 in 2 chance that you could pass on the gene variant to any children you have.
In an earlier study HLA-B27 was found to correlate with some subgroups of schizophrenia, having an increased incidence specially in the subgroup of patients with poor prognostic features.
When used as prescribed, HUMIRA targets and blocks TNF-alpha, which can help reduce the excess inflammation associated with AS.