Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a rheumatological inflammatory condition. It is considered an auto-immune disease and for reasons still largely unknown, the body starts to attack itself. This disease can affect joints including the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints (SIJs) in the buttock. AS more commonly affects males than females. Excessive inflammation is part of the disease process which is why anti-inflammatory medication is used to treat the condition. There are also disease modifying agents that can target this condition early and improve the quality of life of those affected.

Australian batsman Michael Slater recently revealed that he battled this disorder during his cricket career, as had former English batsman Michael Atherton.