Disc injury, Ankylosing Spondilitis

[BhargavJ]

I'm 30 years old, male. I got injured in 1999; prolapsed intervertebral disc L 4-5, Schmorl's node. Had to take bed rest for a month, and the back pain and sciatica continued for at least two years. Even after that, I had problems, though the pain was much less.

Some time back when I had gone to see my doc, he said he suspected AS, but I didn't do anything about it. A few days back I met him again, and got an X-Ray; it shows the lower vertebras are fused. I'll get the blood test done in a few days; what I'd like to know is whether the AS will continue moving upwards or will it stop at the point where it is now? Can medicines check the spread of AS midway?

Right now I don't feel much pain, just that I don't like sitting on a chair. More than 15 minutes and it starts to feel weird and maybe a bit painful but nothing as strong as the disc injury. I always slump in the chair, but with the disc injury I should keep the back straight. My back is stiff, I can't bend much, and in standing position, I can't even lift a straight leg half way up.

I don't have a copy of my earlier X-Ray and MRI pics on computer, but I've got the pics of the latest X-Ray:

View image: SPINE Lumbo Sacral LAT 218
View image: SPINE Lumbo Sacral AP 828

Are there others here who have AS and don't have a full spine fusion?

Thanks.