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The bones of the spine may grow together, causing the spine to become rigid and inflexible. Other joints such as the hips, shoulders, knees, or ankles also may become involved. Heredity seems to play a role in determining who if affected: approximately one in five sufferers have a relative with the same disorder. Despite the chronic nature of the illness, only a few people will become severely disabled; the management of pain and the control of inflammation can reduce the daily problems that may occur. By watching posture and body position and by doing exercises daily, an individual can control many of the effects of the disease. Ankylosing spondylitis is a systemic disease, meaning it can affect the entire body in some people. It can cause fever, loss of appetite, and fatigue, and it can damage other organs besides the joints, such as the lungs, heart and eyes.
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