In France, apart from Marie Strumpell's (sp?) Disease, they term it 'Spondylo-Arthritique' - the term 'Ankylosing' is not used. Interesting. Yes. I have SpA (AS), no fusion, certainly enthesisis - a big hall mark for SpA, and all , or most, of the add ons of the jigsaw, like achilles tendonitis, planta faciitis, gut problems, Sjogren's, Reynauds, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, ankle, (big joint) problems. Feet, incl toes, hands, carpel tunel, Cervicals DDD, costo, rib cage, fatigue etc etc etc. Slight psoriasis, but NOT PsA per se! Great fun. Don't weaken, just take another pill...
No. You don't have to fuse to be spondy! Nor yet do you have to be positive for HLA-B27 - can be B27 negative as well and still be a spondy.
SpA is a systemic disease - which point I have just had to enlighten my kinestherapist with...he knows nowt about the condition and is treating SpA patients.
(One despairs of em all...!!)
Molly C (France)
