I might have ankylosing spondylitis

Hi everyone, my name is katelyn. Im 18 years old and have been dealing with chronic pain for about 5 years now. I have had 5 knee surgeris and now my doctor has been trying to figure out whats wrong with my back and hip. He thought i had something wrong with my vertibrae but everything came back fine in my x-ray, he says i have all the symptoms of this disease so he is temporarily putting me on an anti inflammatory medcation to help with the swelling and the pain, So if he helps hes gonna send me to a Rhuemotologist to get a few more test done to see if thats what i have. I am kinda shocked, I never even heard of this disease before today. If anyone on here knows about this disease or has this disease, can you please tell me what you do for it, and explain if there are certain things you cant do and other serious things that come along with this disease.
Thanks

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hey Katelyn!

Ankylosing spondylitis is a genetically predisposed, autoimmune related, chronic inflammatory condition that involved the axial skeleton (largely the spine and the pelvis). The severity of the condition varies between individuals. Diagnosis is usually made on the basis of typical symptoms, imaging studies and serological tests and management is usually conservative with anti-inflammatory and disease modifying drugs. You could read more about the condition online or discuss in detail with your treating doctor.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!