Ankylosing Spondylitis Center - Blue Springs, MO
Blue Springs Rheumatologist Doctors for Ankylosing SpondylitisType of Physician: Rheumatologist What is a Rheumatologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners treat diseases of the joints, muscles, bones, and tendons. The rheumatologist diagnoses and treats arthritis, back pain, muscle strains, common athletic injuries, etc. The rheumatologist may work closely with other specialists such as orthopaedic surgeons and physical therapists. Specialty: Rheumatology Common Name: Rheumatologist Doctors in Blue Springs * Kansas City Internal Medicine  Center for Rheumatic Disease & Allergy & Immunology  Center for Rheumatic Disease & Allergy & Immunology  Rheumatology Specialists of Kansas City PA  Center for Rheumatic Disease & Allergy & Immunology  Center for Rheumatic Disease & Allergy & Immunology  Internal Medicine & Rheumatology Assoc  Arthritis Center Blue Springs, MissouriUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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Ankylosing SpondylitisRead the Ankylosing Spondylitis article » What is ankylosing spondylitis?Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of chronic inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac joints. The sacroiliac joints are located in the low back where the sacrum (the bone directly above the tailbone) meets the iliac bones (bones on either side of the upper buttocks). Chronic inflammation in these areas causes pain and stiffness in and around the spine. Over time, chronic inflammation of the spine (spondylitis) can lead to a complete cementing together (fusion) of the vertebrae, a process referred to as ankylosis. Ankylosis leads to loss of mobility of the spine. Ankylosing spondylitis is also a systemic disease, meaning it can affect other tissues throughout the body. Accordingly, it can cause inflammation in or injury to other joints away from the spine, as well as to other organs, such as the eyes, heart, lungs, and kidneys. Ankylosing spondylitis shares many features with several other arthritis conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, and arthritis associated with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Each of these arthritic conditions can cause disease and inflammation in the spine, other joints, eyes, skin, mouth, and various organs. In view of their similarities and tendency to cause inflammation of the spine, these conditions are collectively referred to as "spondyloarthropathies." Ankylosing spondylitis is considered one of the many rheumatic diseases because it can cause symptoms involving muscles and joints. Ankylosing spondylitis is two to three times more common in males than in females. In women, joints away from the spine are more frequently affected than in men. Ankylosing spondylitis affects all age groups, including children. The most common age of onset of symptoms is in the second and third decades of life.
What causes ankylosing spondylitis?The tendency to develop ankylosing spondylitis is bel... Recommended Reading Related to Ankylosing SpondylitisWhat is reactive arthritis?Reactive arthritis is a chronic form of arthritis featuring the following three conditions: (1) inflamed joints, (2) inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis), and (3) inflammation of the genital, urinary, or gastrointestinal systems. This form of joint inflammation is called "reactive arthritis" because it is felt to involve an immune system that is "reacting" to the presence of bacterial infections in the genital, urinary, or gastrointestinal systems. Accordingly, certain people's immune systems are genetically primed to react aberrantly when these areas are exposed to certain bacteria. The aberrant reaction of the immune system leads to spontaneous inflammation in the joints and eyes. This can be confounding to the patient and the doctor when the infection has long passed at the time of presentation with arthritis or eye inflammation. Reactive arthritis has, in the past, been referred to as Reiter syndr... Other Related Ankylosing Spondylitis ArticlesEmergency Contact for Blue Springs
Nearby Blue Springs Hospitals *St Mary's Medical Center Centerpoint Medical Center Truman Medical Center Lakewood Saint Luke's East Lee's Summit Medical Center Two Rivers Psychiatric Hospital Crittenton Children's Center Kansas City VA Medical Center  Research Medical Center  Research Psychiatric Center  Select Specialty Hospital Western Missouri  Kindred Hospital Kansas City  Truman Medical Center Hospital Hill  Western Missouri Mental Health Center  Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics  Saint Luke's Hospital  North Kansas City Hospital  Rainbow Mental Health Facility  University of Kansas Hospital & Medical Center  St Joseph Medical Center  Liberty Hospital  Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute  Doctor's Hospital  Heartland Spine & Specialty Hospital  Mid-America Rehabilitation Hospital  Children's Mercy South  Menorah Medical Center  Research Belton Hospital  Specialty Hospital of Mid America  Shawnee Mission Medical Center  Saint Luke's South Hospital  Children's Mercy Northland  Excelsior Springs Medical Center  Ray County Memorial Hospital  Lafayette Regional Health Center  Overland Park Regional Medical Center  Select Specialty Hospital Kansas City  Cass Regional Medical Center  Saint Luke's Northland Hospital Barry Road Campus  Providence Medical Center  Saint Luke's Northland Hospital Smithville Campus  Olathe Medical Center  Western Missouri Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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