What is spondylitis?

Answer 1

Inflamation of the spinal tissue - a type of arthritis that affects the spine or backbone. It causes back pain and stiffness in the vertebrae.

Answer 2

Spondylitis (also called ankylosing spondylitis) is a type of arthritis that affects the spine or backbone.

Early signs of spondylitis are constant pain and stiffness in the low back, buttocks and hips that continue for more than three months.
Spondylitis often starts around the sacroiliac joints. Spondylitis can cause an overgrowth of the bones, which may lead to abnormal joining of parts that are normally separate. This is called bony "fusion."

Fusion affecting bones of the neck, back or hips may impair a person's ability to perform routine activities. Fusion of the ribs to the spine or breastbone may limit a person's ability to expand his or her chest when taking a deep breath.

Spondylitis may also affect some of the ligaments and tendons that attach to bones. Tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon) may cause pain and stiffness in the area behind or beneath the heel, such as the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle.

Spondylitis is a systemic disease, which means symptoms may not be limited to the joints. Patients may also have a fever, fatigue and loss of appetite. Eye inflammation (redness) occurs in about one-fourth of patients with spondylitis. In rare cases, lung and heart problems may also develop.

Although the cause of spondylitis is unknown, there is a strong genetic or family link. Most, but not all, patients with spondylitis carry a gene called HLA-B27.
Although people carrying this gene are at increased risk of developing spondylitis, the majority (over 75%) will never develop the disease.