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Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment in New Jersey

Full-Spectrum AS Care for Patients Across South & Central Jersey & Philadelphia

At Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates, our fellowship-trained, board-certified rheumatologists diagnose and manage ankylosing spondylitis and other rheumatic diseases across all 7+ of our locations. Since 1974, our team has been providing specialized care to and building relationships with patients and families in New Jersey and the Philadelphia area. We welcome new patients, provide second opinions, and offer updated assessments of known conditions.

If you’re living with AS symptoms or an existing diagnosis, our rheumatologists are here to help. Call (856) 424-5005 to schedule an evaluation.

How We Diagnose Ankylosing Spondylitis

Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective treatment, and AS is one of the more challenging conditions to confirm. There’s no single symptom, blood test, or imaging study that independently establishes a diagnosis. 

Our board-certified rheumatologists conduct multi-factor assessments that draw on:

  • Medical histories
  • Family histories
  • Complete physical examinations
  • X-rays
  • CT scans
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Blood tests (to assess inflammation levels and the health of potentially affected organs)

Many patients with AS deal with misdiagnosis because the symptoms can closely resemble rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, or mechanical back pain. That’s why our rheumatologists begin every diagnostic evaluation with a thorough review of your family and medical history alongside comprehensive testing. This helps reduce the risk that an inflammatory condition is being mistaken for something mechanical.

Your Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment Options at Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates

Treatment for AS follows a continuum based on disease severity and how your symptoms respond over time. First-line care typically combines NSAIDs with physical therapy. NSAIDs reduce pain and inflammation, while physical therapy focuses on posture training, breathing exercises, and preserving range of motion. Your specific NSAID regimen reflects your history and individual risk factors. Lifestyle strategies, including regular exercise and smoking cessation, are also established components of AS management.

When NSAIDs don’t provide adequate control, biologic medications become the next step. TNF inhibitors and IL-17 inhibitors are the primary biologic classes used in AS; both target specific inflammatory pathways and may slow disease progression in patients who respond to them. For patients who haven’t responded adequately to biologics, JAK inhibitors represent an additional treatment class. Your physician can guide the selection based on your clinical picture.

Biologic infusions that can’t be self-administered are delivered through our IDYLLIC Infusion Treatment Centers, located within all of our offices. Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates was the first independent rheumatology practice in New Jersey to offer in-office infusion services, and we've completed as many as 29,000 infusions for over 8,000 patients in a single year, all supervised by on-site medical professionals. We work with most major insurance plans and help identify copay assistance options to reduce the financial burden of ongoing treatment.

Long-Term AS Management

The prognosis for AS is highly variable. Some patients experience mild, manageable symptoms throughout their lives; others face significant functional limitations. The long-term goal is to preserve physical functioning, minimize symptom-related downtime, and maximize quality of life. Regular follow-up helps us stay ahead of disease activity.

Ongoing monitoring allows our rheumatologists to assess how your condition is evolving, adjust medications when needed, and screen for related conditions such as uveitis, bowel inflammation, and osteoporosis. At Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates, we provide strategies for pain relief, posture, activity, and physical therapy participation, and we support you through the long-term arc of this condition, not just the acute moments. Living with AS can be demanding, but you don’t have to navigate it without a physician who knows your full history.

Whether you’re pursuing a first evaluation, a second opinion, or updated management of a known AS diagnosis, our rheumatologists are here to help. Call (856) 424-5005 to schedule your appointment!

OUR PRACTICE by the Numbers

Over fifty years of independent rheumatology care, measured in facts.
  • 50 +
    Years in Practice

    Founded in 1974. Still independent. Still focused exclusively on rheumatology.

  • 29,000 +
    INFUSIONS IN A SINGLE YEAR

    Completed across seven IDYLLIC Infusion Treatment Centers, all inside our offices.

  • 18
    Providers

    Every one fellowship-trained in rheumatology and board-certified or board-eligible.

  • 7
    New Jersey Offices

    Serving South and Central Jersey and the Philadelphia region from Voorhees to Brick.

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Patient Portal Call (856) 424-5005

Questions About Your Rheumatology Care

What is rheumatology?
Rheumatology is the branch of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating diseases of the joints, bones, muscles, and immune system. Rheumatologists manage conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, osteoporosis, gout, and more than 100 other autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.
How is a rheumatologist different from a general practitioner?
After internal medicine residency, rheumatologists complete two to three additional years of fellowship training in diseases of the joints and immune system. Every physician at Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates completed this training. A general practitioner does not have this specialized background.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring any prior lab results, imaging studies, or records from your primary care physician or previous specialists. A list of current medications is also helpful. Your physician will review everything before the examination and use it to inform your diagnostic workup.
How does in-office infusion therapy work?
Biologic medications for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis are sometimes administered intravenously rather than by pill or injection. Our IDYLLIC Infusion Treatment Centers provide this treatment inside our offices with a medical professional supervising every session, at substantially lower cost than hospital-based infusion.
Is in-office ultrasound the same as radiology imaging?
Diagnostic ultrasound in our offices provides real-time images of joints, tendons, and soft tissue without radiation. Unlike a radiology referral, every scan at Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates is interpreted by a physician with specific rheumatology training, so findings are evaluated in the context of your condition, not in isolation.
Do you coordinate with my primary care physician?
Yes. We collaborate closely with referring and primary care physicians, sharing records and findings so your care stays consistent across providers. You won't need to repeat your history or serve as the messenger between offices.