5% of chronic back pain is caused by inflammatory conditions

Chronic back pain is hard to diagnose and treat.  There are many, many variables to consider.  However,  one that is commonly overlooked is inflammatory causes of back pain.  BJC Health specialises in inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis and has put together this guide to help educate the community on this condition.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory rheumatic condition that is one of a number of diseases that are characterised by inflammation of the spine termed Spondyloarthritis. The inflammation that occurs particularly affects the sites at which tendons or ligaments join onto bone. The most commonly affected region is the sacroiliac joints, which is where the spine joins onto the pelvis. However, any joint can be affected.