Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a rheumatic disease that causes inflammation of the spine and sacroiliac joints, as well as inflammation of the eyes, lungs, and heart valves. Ankylosing spondylitis presents with intermittent episodes of varying degrees of back pain that are lifelong, with chronic lesions involving the spine, peripheral joints, and other organs, leading to severe joint and back stiffness, loss of mobility, and deformities as we age. The symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis are progressive and if left untreated can eventually lead to fusion and deformation of the entire spine, resulting in lifelong disability. Wu Qiang, Department of Orthopedics, Wuhan Union Hospital