Patients with ankylosing spondylitis have a number of drugs to choose from. When a new drug comes along, it must go through strict testing to see if it is safe and effective.

A long term disease named  Ankylosing   Spondylitis has been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular problems. A number of factors could be responsible for this increased risk, including the drugs used to treat this painful condition.

Inflammation is a key part of the body's healing process. However, it is also at the root of many health problems, including rheumatoid arthritis and heart and vein disorders.

Ankylosing spondylitis on its own is enough to keep patients from living a normal, active life. Add obesity to the mix and the picture may get worse.

Arava ( leflunomide ) is one of the many drugs used to fight inflammation - a central feature of psoriatic arthritis. The drug may appear to work well in a research environment, but how does it fare in the "real world"?

Knees are only meant to bend forward and backward. If a knee pops and locks up with major pain, something serious is going on there, and it's most likely an ACL injury.

No two patients with ankylosing spondylitis are exactly the same. As such, a drug treatment that works for one patient may not work for the other. When one drug isn't working out, patients may turn to another drug.

If your rheumatoid arthritis is cramping your ability to do simple daily tasks, medications may help. One arthritis drug may even protect against death.

Both rheumatoid arthritis and obesity can contribute to heart problems. But when the two conditions are combined, the picture may get a little foggier.