You should see a doctor if your back pain lasts longer than a few weeks, is severe, or is accompanied by symptoms like fever, numbness, or weakness in the legs. Proper treatment is necessary if the pain follows an accident or injury.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis in which there is long-term inflammation of the joints of the spine. Typically the joints where the spine joins the pelvis are also affected. Occasionally other joints such as the shoulders or hips are involved. Eye and bowel problems may also occur....