Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or arthritis of the spine is a type of arthritis that attacks the spine. AS is one of a group of diseases known as spondyloarthropathies. It tends to affect more men than women, Caucasians, some groups of Native Americans and often runs in families. In fact, AS affects between 0.1 to 0.2 percent of the general population.
Learn more about the disease and find treatment options to help ease pain.
Why Would You Need to See a Spine Surgeon? Join Christian DiPaola, MD, UMass Memorial orthopedic spine surgeon, at a free patient education event and learn more about keeping your spine healthy. Register here.
Featured Patient Story
At age 16, Jenna Thomas, a standout soccer player at Westborough High School, tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a ligament in her knee. Jenna was referred to Nicola DeAngelis, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at UMass Memorial Medical Center. After a successful surgery, long term recovery, physical therapy and at home exercises, Jenna is now back on the field playing division 1 soccer for UMass Amherst. She credits Dr. DeAngelis and the UMass Memorial sports medicine team for preserving her knee and soccer career. Read Jenna's story.
Hiking for Health
Autumn is here and beach season is over, but that's no excuse to stop exercising. Fall is the perfect time to experience the beautiful mountains of New England. Enjoy the hills, trails and state parks your area has to offer and take up hiking. Hiking is much more than just a walk through the woods. It is a fantastic aerobic exercise and great for your mental health. Just make sure to avoid these 10 beginner hiker blunders before you take the hills. Safe travels!
Michael Stauff, MD, Now Seeing Patients in Westborough
Michael Stauff, MD, board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon, is welcoming new patients at UMass Memorial Orthopedics at Westborough. In addition to Dr. Stauff's practice in orthopedics/spine and neck care, his clinical interests include cervical myelopathy, disk herniations, spinal deformities, stenosis, trauma and tumors. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Stauff, call 855-UMASS-MD (855-862-7763).
Joint Friendly
Recipe of the Month
Pork Chops with Savory Apples (Gluten Free)
Web Resources
A Nation in Motion
National Institute of Arthritis
and Musculoskeletal and
Skin Diseases
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To learn more about our
musculoskeletal program,
please call
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