[Click! Health] Ankylosing Spondylitis That Causes Hunched Back and Stiff Neck if Left Untreated... Early Treatment Is Important

Ankylosing Spondylitis [Photo by Asia Economy DB]

The number of patients with ankylosing spondylitis, a condition where the spinal joints become stiff, has recently been increasing, especially among young men. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients visiting hospitals for ankylosing spondylitis rose by 22% over four years, from 40,797 in 2017 to 51,106 in 2021. Among them, male patients were 2.5 times more numerous than female patients, and particularly those in their 20s to 40s accounted for 56%, indicating a high incidence among young men.

If left untreated, ankylosing spondylitis causes the back to become hunched and the neck to stiffen. The initial typical symptom is pain in the hip bones, which is easy to overlook. Because of this, many patients visit the hospital only after the inflammation has already spread to the thoracic spine. Once the affected area becomes stiff, recovery is difficult, so early detection and treatment are effective. Professor Sang-Hoon Lee of the Department of Rheumatology at Kangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital said, “Ankylosing spondylitis generally begins by affecting the spine, causing alternating pain in both hip bones. If diagnosis is missed during this stage, symptoms may not be severe until the thoracic spine is involved, which can delay diagnosis.” He added, “When ankylosing spondylitis affects the thoracic spine, even a mild cough can cause chest pain, and pressing on the area with the hand also causes pain.” He continued, “If you experience back pain that wakes you up during sleep for more than three months, you should suspect ankylosing spondylitis and seek medical attention promptly.”

Professor Sang-Hoon Lee, Department of Rheumatology, Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital

If ankylosing spondylitis is detected early, combining medication and exercise therapy can prevent the progression of spinal stiffness, making it a condition that does not significantly interfere with daily life. However, if patients visit the hospital after the stiffness has progressed to involve the thoracic spine, the treatment outcome cannot be optimistic because once a joint becomes stiff, recovery is impossible. Professor Lee said, “Due to the effectiveness of medication, only about 10% of cases progress to stiffness, but if the disease is detected late, such as when it has already spread to the thoracic spine, the treatment effect can be greatly reduced.” He advised, “If symptoms suggestive of ankylosing spondylitis appear, do not delay and consult a specialist.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.