How Ankylosing Spondylitis Links Lower Back Pain and Achilles Issues

How Ankylosing Spondylitis Causes Lower Back Pain and Achilles Tendon Issues

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory arthritis that primarily impacts the spine and sacroiliac joints in the pelvis. It causes symptoms like chronic lower back pain and joint stiffness that get worse over time.

But while the classic sign of AS involves painful inflammation in the lower back, effects can appear throughout the body. Understanding all related symptoms is key for getting an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Common Lower Back Pain Causes

First, it helps to understand what leads to most garden variety lower back pain cases, typically involving issues like:

• Muscle strains
• Bulging discs
• Arthritis in spine joints
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing)

These tend to come and go, get better with rest, or respond well to physical therapy. But back pain from AS tends to be more constant, intense, worse at night, and resistant to conservative care.

How AS Inflammation Targets the SI Joints

With ankylosing spondylitis specifically, inflammation centers in an area known as the sacroiliac or SI joints. These are located on either side of the lower spine, connecting the pelvis to the sacrum bone.

As the SI joints become inflamed, the surrounding ligaments and tendons also become extremely painful. This causes pronounced lower back pain and stiffness, especially in the morning or after long periods of stillness.

Asymmetric Pain Patterns

Lower back discomfort often starts out only affecting one SI joint or the other. So you may notice more lower back pain on your right or left side rather than evenly across the lumbosacral region.

Over months or years, inflammation and stiffness start to appear on both sides as the condition advances up along the spine. This symmetric pain helps distinguish AS from other potential causes.

Other Areas Impacted by AS Inflammation

In addition to the SI region, ankylosing spondylitis progressively triggers widespread inflammation that can also affect:

• Other areas of the lower back and spine
• The ribcage and chest
• Shoulders
• Hips
• Heels and ankles

This means a variety of indirect symptoms can stem from this one condition over the long run.

7 Surprising AS Symptoms Beyond Lower Back Pain

Let's take a closer look at some of the unexpected body-wide effects that ankylosing spondylitis could be quietly causing in the background when lower back pain serves as the most obvious sign.

1. Tendinitis in Heels & Ankles

Up to 30% of those with AS develop painful inflammation where tendons and ligaments attach to bone, called enthesitis. Areas frequently impacted include tissue connecting the Achilles tendon and Achilles tendon at the back of the heel.

Sudden onset of stabbing Achilles tendon pain or discomfort climbing stairs likely has nothing to do with overexertion or strain. It actually stems from chronic inflammation responses triggering local tendon/ligament swelling.

Swelling then squeezes the sensitive tendon fibers leading to micro tears from overuse. Physical evaluation and imaging can confirm enthesitis, helping distinguish from true muscle overuse.

2. Pain or Stiffness Flaring in One Eye

Nearly 40% of those with AS experience painful inflammation of the eye on the same side as bad lower back pain, due to associated inflammation of the sclera tissue surrounding the iris.

Redness, light sensitivity, and pain behind or around one eye could signal acute anterior uveitis. Symptoms often affect only one eye at a time but may alternate between left and right eyes during flares.

3. Difficulty Taking Deep Breaths

When AS inflammation begins to fuse and stiffen rib joints, breathing mechanics change substantially. As chest wall mobility declines, you may struggle with tasks requiring full lung expansion.

Noticeable shortness of breath from light activity, trouble getting a deep breath during yoga, or waking gasping for air could all stem from restrictive damage along the spine and ribs.

4. Unexpected Digestive Discomfort

Remember that the spine helps anchor and support our abdominal core? Inflammation eating away at spinal joints over years impacts overall posture, muscle tone, and function in nearby organs.

Many people with longtime AS battle increased constipation, diarrhea, bloating, nausea and loss of appetite tied to affected digestive coordination secondary to spinal joint erosion.

5. More Frequent Headaches

How could issues in your lower back or pelvis lead to headaches and neck pain? When inflammation fuses AS spine joints together, nearby tissues must compensate for diminished range of motion and shock absorption.

The body adapts to immobile areas by increasing mobility above or below them...overworking those areas and causing localized headaches and neck stiffness as a result.

6. Fatigue & Chronic Daily Flu-like Ache

Because ankylosing spondylitis involves runaway systemic inflammation employing the immune system, it also leads to overwhelming fatigue and body-wide discomfort as a disease side effect.

Generalized fatigue, malaise, low-grade fever sensations, drenching night sweats, insomnia, and loss of appetite frequently accompany central AS back pain as additional symptoms.

7. Gradual Height Loss

Lastly, the progressive fusing together of the spine over 5+ years of AS has a noticeable shortening and rounding effect. You may lose upwards of 6+ inches from your full adult height by age 45.

Unexpected height loss, posture changes, and clothes no longer fitting right offer subtle clues.

Bottom Line - See Your Doctor About Lower Back Pain

As you can see, ankylosing spondylitis as an inflammatory condition impacts far more than just the back itself. Keep an eye out for any of these surprising yet connected issues.

Be sure to consult your physician if you battle chronic lower back pain and stiffness that persists for 3 months or worsens over time. Catching AS early makes a real difference through treatments that relieve pain and potentially slow progression.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.