Ankylosing Spondylitis Support Group

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic form of arthritis--it is an inflammatory disease that causes joints, cartilage or other fibrous tissue (such as ligaments and tendons) to turn into bone. Ankylosing spondylitis is part of the group of rheumatic diseases. The disease is characterized by progressive stiffness, tenderness, and pain in joints. Pain can be episodic and...

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Time frames

deleted_user
deleted_user
Does anybody know how long AS takes to completely fuse the area it is attacking and does it stop or does it start fusing a different area in the spine?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I don't think there is a cardinal rule that you will be fused in XX timeframe. It depends on how agressively the disease is attacking you, if you receive treatment, the type of treatment you receive, how quickly you find a treatment that is effective for your variation of the disease/your genetics, etc.

Myself, I have a fairly non-agressive form of AS. I was diagnosed 11 years ago. One doctor agreed that I had shown signs in my early teen years, but I am still quite mobile and only have minimal spinal fusion.

Your Rheumie would be the best option to answer that question and likely only after some observation and treatment.

I'm sorry I couldn't be more help.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi, I've had AS for almost 30 yrs......and it is different for everyone...My SI joints are the worse...spine is bad but not severe yet...neck is painful...and other areas of my body.
Peace,
Kaz
deleted_user
deleted_user
I am new to AS but have been completing a lot of research on the internet, pamphlets, etc. I cannot pinpoint the exact sites but I have read in a couple of places that the first 10 years are the most critical. Please don't take this for gospel but I can tell you that I have seen it in more than one location. Good luck..
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