Ankylosing spondylitis is arthritis of the joints in the spine. It is also known as Marie-Strumpell disease and rheumatoid spondylitis. This disorder affects multiple organs such as eyes, heart, lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal tract.
Symptoms of this arthritis include: low back and hip pain and stiffness; difficulty expanding the chest; pain in neck, knees, shoulders, and ankles; low-grade fever; fatigue; weight loss. Early arthritis symptoms are uncommon after the age of 30, although patient may not be diagnosed until after then.
