Rowing for ankylosing spondylitis (AS)

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a painful, progressive form of inflammatory arthritis that affects young people. The spine is most commonly affected but other joints, tendons and ligaments can also be affected. Symptoms usually start in late teens and early 20s and it can currently take 7-10 years to get an accurate diagnosis. There is no cure for AS but symptoms can be managed with medication and appropriate exercise. Left untreated, AS can become chronic, disabling and will cause irreversible spinal damage.

Dr Keat and his team of 30 from the London Rowing Club will set off on their 150 mile row from Lechlade on Sunday 31 August and reach Putney, their final destination on Thursday 4 September. Rowing around 30 miles each day, the intrepid
team will also be sporting their NASS orange t-shirts along the route to raise awareness of AS, and NASS, the only UK charity dedicated to the needs of people affected by the condition.

Dr Andrew Keat, Consultant Rheumatologist at Northwick Park Hospital and Trustee of the National Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (NASS) is leading the London Rowing Club (LRC) in a gruelling 150 mile challenge along the river Thames to support people living with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Dr Keat has long been a fan of NASS and has decided to embark upon this trip to raise funds so that NASS can continue to provide the best possible support and help for people with AS. In his role as consultant rheumatologist at Northwick Park Hospital, Dr Keat has been helping people with AS for well over 30 years as well as lecturing and writing extensively on the condition.

AS is a painful, progressive form of inflammatory arthritis that affects young people. The spine is most commonly affected but other joints, tendons and ligaments can also be affected. Symptoms usually start in late teens and early 20s and it can currently take 7-10 years to get an accurate diagnosis. There is no cure for AS but symptoms can be managed with medication and appropriate exercise. Left untreated, AS can become chronic, disabling and will cause irreversible spinal damage.

 

List of Rheumatologists

UK Spine experts

 

For more information about AS and / or to support their fundraising please go to www.nass.co.uk

A type of chronic arthritis affecting the sacro-iliac joints (between the spine and the pelvis) and the vertebral joints of the spine Full medical glossary
Inflammation of one or more joints of the body. Full medical glossary
A disease of long duration generally involving slow changes. Full medical glossary
The process of determining which condition a patient may have. Full medical glossary
Continuously increasing in extent or severity. Full medical glossary