Pain and Tenderness

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of chronic inflammatory arthritis that causes joint inflammation. Primarily, joints in the spine are affected in people with AS, but other joints in the body may also become inflamed. Most often, AS symptoms begin in late adolescence or early adulthood, although in some cases they may begin in childhood or later adulthood. Each individual with AS can have slightly different symptoms, as there is much variation in the disease.^1,2

The pain and stiffness of AS often begins in the sacroiliac (SI) joints, which are located where the hip bones (pelvic bones) meet the base of the spine. AS may progress up the spine, causing inflammation between the vertebrae. Some people also have pain and inflammation in other joints, like the shoulders, ribs, hands, or feet. The pain experienced by people with AS often begins gradually, and it varies between different people with AS from mild to excruciating. People with AS may also experience widespread or referred pain.^1,2

Widespread pain

Widespread pain is a general term that indicates a person is having pain in several areas of the body at the same time. People with AS may have multiple joints affected, causing pain and stiffness in many areas of the body. One study found that people with AS were more likely to have widespread pain than people with other types of spondyloarthritis (SpA), and that widespread pain significantly impairs a person's quality of life and ability to function. Widespread pain is also associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression.³

Besides the pain of AS, people with AS are also at a greater risk of developing fibromyalgia, a neurological condition that is characterized by widespread pain.^4,5Fibromyalgia causes widespread, chronic pain in the muscles, joints, and/or skin. The pain is often described as a dull ache and points may be tender to the touch. Fibromyalgia also causes significant fatigue, sleep problems, and cognitive difficulties (challenges with concentration or thinking clearly, sometimes called "fibro fog").^6,7

In addition to the joint pain caused by AS and the neurological pain caused by fibromyalgia, widespread pain can be a symptom caused by other conditions, including endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and other neurological diseases.⁸

Referred pain

Referred pain is pain that is felt in another part of the body rather than the actual source or cause of the pain. Referred pain sensations often occur in regional areas of the body, as multiple nerves that serve different organs or structures enter a similar area in the spinal cord.⁹

People with AS may experience referred pain, such as when the hip joint is affected by AS and the pain is felt in the groin, knee, or the front of the thigh.¹⁰ Low back pain caused by AS may also cause referred pain, with the person perceiving the pain in the thigh.¹¹

How is pain treated?

Treatment of pain and other symptoms of AS usually involves a combination of medications, physical therapy, and exercise. Medications for AS include:^12,13

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can help relieve pain and inflammation
• Biologic medications, which may help slow or stop the progression of the disease by blocking key processes or compounds involved in the inflammatory response
• Corticosteroids, which may be used for short-term relief of inflammation
• Slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs (SAARDs), which may help relieve pain and inflammation, especially in those who cannot take biologic medications

Many people with AS also find complementary methods to be helpful in relieving symptoms, such as using heat and cold or dietary changes.