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Posture in advanced ankylosing spondylitis

Illustration copyright 2005 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com

As severe ankylosing spondylitis advances:

  • The head moves forward and the neck becomes stiff.
  • The upper back curves forward (kyphosis).
  • The normal curve in the low back flattens.
  • The hips may become stiff and not straighten completely.
  • People often keep their knees bent a little to make up for the changed curves in their back and stiffness in their hips. This bending of the knees causes the body to shift back a little so it's easier to balance and to see straight ahead.
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD
- Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Stanford M. Shoor, MD
- Rheumatology
Last Updated May 18, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 18, 2007
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