Spondyloarthropathy

Spondyloarthropathy (sometimes referred to as spondyloarthritis) refers to a group of inflammatory rheumatic diseases that includes ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. The predominant symptom among them is joint pain and inflammation, sometimes affecting the spine. In some cases, these diseases can become systemic, causing inflammation in the eyes, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and other areas.

Spondyloarthropathies have been linked to several genes; some experts believe that a combination of genetic and environmental factors may trigger their development.

Spondyloarthropathy symptoms include back pain and more:

• Joints like your hips, shoulders, knees, or elbows are painful.
• The points where your tendons and ligaments meet bone become inflamed. This is called enthesitis. The first sign is usually a pain at the back or bottom of your heels.
• Dactylitis is an inflammation of the tendons in the fingers and toes. This gives them a swollen, sausage-like appearance.
• Uveitis causes pain or redness in one eye.