Symptoms most often begin at the end of growth (15-16 years) until the age of 40. However, there are rarer forms occurring in childhood.

Initial symptoms

• The disease usually begins with pain in the spine, pelvis, buttocks… These pains are more intense towards the end of the night and can even wake up those affected;
• There is a stiffness and a limitation of the flexibility of the back, more accentuated in the morning. These last more or less long and fade after a period of “unlocking”, that is to say of warming the joints;
• The disease can also start with pain in the heel, knee or ankle, or swelling of a finger or toe (dactylite);
• Sometimes the disease begins with symptoms that do not affect the joints, for example, inflammation of the eye (uvéite).

Evolution of symptoms

La ankylosing spondylitis is a disease which progresses by outbreaks, interspersed with periods when the symptoms are less marked, and which sometimes disappear. However, even with total remission, relapses are extremely common.⁵.

The disease can sometimes only result in pain and stiffness Both of you. Other symptoms may be present depending on the case:

• Reduced ability to move the back and chest, which can sometimes interfere with breathing. Chest pain when coughing or taking a deep breath;
• Involvement of the joints of the limbs (especially near the attachment of ligaments and tendons to the bone): swelling and pain of the shoulders, elbows, knees and ankles;
• Fatigue, loss of appetite and weight, fever in rare cases;
• Inflammation of one eye (red and sore eye);
• Rigid or hunched posture;
• Inflammation of the intestine (causing pain, diarrhea…).