As severe ankylosing spondylitis advances:
- The head moves forward and the neck becomes stiff.
- The upper back curves forward (kyphosis).
- The normal curve in the low back flattens.
- The hips may become stiff and not straighten completely.
- People often keep their knees bent a little to make up for the changed curves in their back and stiffness in their hips. This bending of the knees causes the body to shift back a little so it's easier to balance and to see straight ahead.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology |
| Last Revised | May 11, 2011 |
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