Inflammatory arthritis is the term used to describe a range of conditions.
The 3 most common forms of inflammatory arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis. They each have their own characteristics but what each have in common is that the body's immune system is wrongly triggered to attack your own body, causing pain, stiffness, damage to joints and, if left untreated, possibly disability.
They are systemic diseases which means that they can affect the whole body and even internal organs such as the lungs, although this is certainly not the case for everyone.
The Inflammatory Arthritis Patient Information Pathway is a guide to what information is available and might be useful for you at every key stage of your journey, from first noticing symptoms to specialist care if the disease progresses.
We outline information for people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or who think they may have AS, in all 6 steps of the pathway on this site. However, if you think you may have a different form of inflammatory arthritis then the pathway on the Arthritis Research UK website directs you to organisations and information sources relevant at each step.
Step 1 : Recognising symptoms before seeking help
At this stage you may be experiencing back pain and / or joint pain but have not yet consulted your GP about your symptoms.
- We have information on recognising the symptoms of inflammatory back pain versus mechanical back pain
- We also explain the different types of inflammatory back pain
- Look at the symptoms of AS
Step 2: Visiting the GP for the first time
- Look at what you should expect when you visit your GP about your symptoms.
- If your GP suspects you have inflammatory back pain or AS it is important that you are referred on to a rheumatologist for a confirmation of your diagnosis
Step 3: Seeing the specialist for the first time following referral
- Read about the different tests used to help diagnose AS
- More information on having an MRI
- See some of the difficulties in diagnosing AS
- An explanation of who makes up your rheumatology team
Step 4: Tests, treatments and information
- It's important to know what best practice is in AS in order to access the optimum treatment and management. Download a copy of our Looking Ahead guide to best practice in AS
- Download the NASS guidebook on living with AS
Step 5: Ongoing care
- AS is managed through a combination of medication and appropriate exercise
- Find more information on the medications used in AS
- Find more information on exercise including our free Back to Action guide to exercise
- NASS have branches around the UK which meet regularly for hydrotherapy and physiotherapy sessions under the guidance of experienced physiotherapists. Find your local branch
- NASS have a Helpline you can call for information and support.
Step 6: Long term disease and complications
- AS is a long term condition. It affects everyone differently but generally people find that their symptoms come and go over many years. Read more about flares and burn out.
- There are a number of other conditions that are associated with AS which some people develop including uveitis, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis
- What may happen over time
- New medical treatments and knowledge about how exercise can benefit people with AS has reduced the need for surgery. The two types of surgical treatment that are sometimes needed by people with AS are joint replacement surgery and spinal corrective surgery
Last reviewed: March 2012