Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis is long-term inflammatory arthritis affecting the sacroiliac joints and spine, sometimes also involving the eyes, skin, bowel or peripheral joints.
Voltaren SR
100mg
Voltaren SR is diclofenac 100mg in a modified-release tablet for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
Aceclofenac Tablets
100 · 200mg
Aceclofenac 100mg and 200mg tablets, an NSAID used for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Cyclooxygenase is the target.
Key points
- Back pain that improves with movement, causes morning stiffness and begins in younger adulthood suggests inflammation rather than a simple strain.
- Exercise and physiotherapy are core treatment because medicine alone does not preserve posture and mobility.
- Persistent active disease may need biologic or targeted therapy after diagnosis and infection-risk assessment.
The listings below do not diagnose inflammatory back pain; rheumatology assessment should guide systemic treatment.
How diagnosis is built
No single test confirms every case. Clinicians combine symptom pattern, examination, inflammatory markers and X-ray or MRI of the sacroiliac joints. HLA-B27 can support but neither proves nor excludes the diagnosis. Psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease and prior uveitis are relevant clues.
Managing inflammation and function
Regular spinal mobility, strengthening and aerobic exercise help maintain movement. NSAIDs may control pain and stiffness but require gastrointestinal, kidney and cardiovascular risk review. Biologic medicines can reduce active inflammation when simpler treatment is insufficient and require screening and ongoing monitoring.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent eye assessment for a painful red light-sensitive eye or blurred vision. Emergency care is also needed for new limb weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or major spinal trauma.