OSF HealthCare Newsroom

Non-invasive spine surgery offers hope after years of pain

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 01:00:00 -0500

After years of chronic pain stripped away his active lifestyle, 36-year-old Tyler Stratman of Clinton, Illinois, says he has finally reclaimed his life thanks to a specialized spine procedure now available in Central Illinois.

Stratman, who once ran several miles a day while living in Chicago, says his life changed dramatically when persistent back pain began about two and a half years ago. What started as discomfort escalated into debilitating immobility.

Active lifestyle disrupted by chronic back pain

The pain prompted Stratman to completely stop his habit of running four to five miles a day.

“Even walking down the street to get Starbucks, my whole entire body would just kind of charley horse. I would have to stop in between blocks and kind of do hamstring stretches and things like that. And you know I was only 33 years old. And so, it was a huge, huge part of my life taken away.”

An MRI eventually revealed a severe herniated disc in his lower spine. At its peak, Stratman describes unbearable pain and sleepless nights.

“I don’t think I slept for probably four to five days,” Stratman explains. “I would have to go out in the middle of the night. We have a treadmill and I would have to go out at like three or four in the morning to walk just to relieve something – just so I wouldn’t feel pain.”

Minimally invasive spine surgery offers new option in Central Illinois

After exhausting non-surgical options including physical therapy, steroid injections and chiropractic care, Stratman was referred to neurosurgeon Sohail Syed, MD, who specializes in minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery.

Spine surgeons at OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute (OSF INI) Spine Institute perform approximately 1,000 spine surgeries each year, more than any other hospital system in the area and is the second largest program in Illinois. OSF HealthCare began using new minimally invasive spine surgery technology in June 2024, expanding treatment options for patients with certain spinal conditions. Since then, fellowship-trained spine surgeon Dr. Syed has performed 50 non-invasive spine surgeries using this advanced approach.

The endoscopic approach uses a small camera and specialized instruments inserted through a narrow pathway, avoiding the need for large incisions or significant tissue disruption.

Dr. Syed notes that in traditional spine surgery, surgeons often must remove bone and move a nerve aside to reach the problem area – steps the endoscopic technique can often minimize or avoid.

Endoscopic spine surgery reduces damage and recovery time

“Rather than going through all that, you can sneak underneath the nerve. And the endoscopic camera has an angle on it so it lets you look around the corner and work in the natural hole that exists in the spine without removing any bone or tissue and go right to the disc, remove the disc that’s pushing on the nerve or the bone spur and be in and out just using a one to two centimeter incision.”

Dr. Syed emphasizes that surgery is typically a last resort after conservative treatments fail but says Stratman was an ideal candidate due to both his condition and mindset.

“He was a great candidate for endoscopic spine surgery because of the type of disc herniation he had, the location, his age and his attitude,” Dr. Syed emphasizes, “He was really willing to do the work required after to get the best benefit from the surgery.”

For the surgery he underwent at OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington, Illinois, Stratman ultimately chose the less invasive option that allowed surgeons to access his spine through a natural pathway while he remained partially awake. Though initially daunting, he says the decision became clear after years of suffering.

It offered him hope and following a two-and-a-half-hour procedure, the results were almost immediate.

Finding immediate relief

“It was an instant relief. The kind of like nugget charley horse I just felt like I had in my back for those years – it was just gone. I didn’t feel it anymore,” he explains.

Stratman was also relieved he didn’t have to travel to St. Louis or Chicago for the innovative surgical approach. He was back home the same day – seven hours after his surgery.

Dr. Syed notes that while some people experience immediate improvement, recovery timelines can vary depending on the severity and duration of nerve compression.

Surgery removes whatever’s causing an injury, but Dr. Syed reminds people the procedure doesn’t repair injury.

The body has to heal on its own, and that can take time. For some older patients, Dr. Syed cautions it could mean a few months before they feel significantly better.

“While the nerve is being hurt, so is the muscle, so is the skin and for all of that to recover, it can take time – especially for older patients. So, if you wake up feeling great, that’s awesome. But if you don’t, give it at least three months.”

Now several months post-surgery, Stratman says he feels stronger and more mobile than ever.

“I’m better than I’ve ever been. I feel stronger than I ever have. My mobility is better than it ever has been. I feel more flexible and [I’m] sleeping fantastic.”

Stratman is not ready to start running again. Instead, he has adapted his routine with other forms of exercise, such as strength training and fast walking. He remains focused on long-term health.

For others facing similar decisions, both Stratman and Dr. Syed stress the importance of persistence, trust and informed care.

And for Dr. Syed, the ultimate goal is simple: meaningful improvement in patients’ lives. You can learn more here about non-invasive spine surgery available through OSF HealthCare.

Tyle Stratman who underwent non-invasive spine surgery

Dr. Sohail Syed, neurosurgeon specializing in spine surgery

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Spine disorders 101

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 10:30:00 -0600

If you’re at a doctor’s appointment and the provider says “spine disorder,” you might stop in your tracks. But you don’t have to, says Sohail Syed, MD, an OSF HealthCare neurosurgeon. He says to think of spine problems as a spectrum.

“You can be a little outside normal, and it’s not going to be a major problem. You’re probably never going to know. Or you can be in the in-between. You have some symptoms, but it’s not that bad. Maybe we don’t need to do anything. Maybe surgery is more harmful than just living with it. Then there are the clear and obvious cases where the quality of life is so impacted,” Dr. Syed outlines.

Still, it’s worth knowing the terms of spine health and what you can do to manage the problems. First, Dr. Syed highlights two terms that aren’t bonafide disorders but can be problems to correct.

Lordosis: This refers to the normal, c-shaped curvature of the lower back.
Kyphosis: This is the normal curvature of the upper back.

In each case, the term itself doesn’t indicate a deformity. But the curvature can become abnormal, prompting a spine physician to take a look and possibly recommend lifestyle changes.

Bonafide spine disorders include:

Scoliosis: This curvature of the spine brings back pain “from muscles having to compensate to hold the spine and body in the right position,” Dr. Syed says. Sometimes, nerves get pinched, leading to chest, abdomen or leg pain. Severe cases could bring paralysis. Or, a lung could get pinched, leading to impaired breathing. This is called thoracic insufficiency syndrome.

Genetics, nutrition, muscle imbalance and lifestyle can all contribute to getting scoliosis. Your spine can also naturally worsen with age.

“The discs start to thin. The spine starts to tilt. That puts more strain on the joints. They tend to overgrow, twist and change in size. That creates a domino effect. You get this spine that’s really twisted,” Dr. Syed explains.

Dr. Syed adds that most scoliosis cases can be addressed without surgery. The person can change their lifestyle, notably getting on an exercise plan that strengthens the muscles that support the spine. In severe cases, a surgeon would put screws, rods or plates into your spine or make cuts in the bones.

“It pulls the spine into the correct space, frees up the nerves from the pressure on them and gets the spine to heal in that position,” Dr. Syed says.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS): Dr. Syed says this is an inflammatory condition in various joints due to the body’s immune system not working properly.

“Normally, your spine is made up of a bunch of repeating segments. They move relative to each other. That’s how you bend and twist,” Dr. Syed says. “In AS, the joints start to become solid bone because of inflammation. That leads to very stiff, brittle painful bones. People are predisposed to fractures with minor falls. Those people we typically see, unfortunately, in trauma settings. They have brittle, stiff spine that doesn’t have any bend or give. They have a fall, and the spine breaks.”

Dr. Syed says a rheumatologist could put an AS patient on an immune-modifying medicine to prevent inflammation.

Prevention

Keeping a healthy spine comes down to “fundamental good behavior,” Dr. Syed says.

Avoid activities that could injure the spine. That could be everyday things like heavy lifting or career choices like a contact sport.
Maintain a healthy weight through a healthy diet and active lifestyle.

“You don’t want to be too skinny or too big,” Dr. Syed suggests. “That puts either too much strain [when you’re overweight] or not enough muscle to support the spine [when you’re underweight].

“It’s like Goldilocks,” Dr. Syed adds, referring to the “not too hot, not too cold” fairytale. “You want to work out but not too intensely that you’re crossing over into injury.”

Walks or light jogs could be the things for you, he says.
Avoid smoking.

Learn more

The OSF HealthCare website has information on orthopedic health. The OSF Illinois Neurological Institute also provides comprehensive care.

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Mental health medication and pregnancy

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0600

As the stigma around mental health continues to improve, people are more likely to seek treatment. A woman who has just learned she’s pregnant may wonder: should I stop taking medicines like Zoloft or Prozac? Will they hurt my baby?

Sarah Shoemaker, a certified nurse midwife at OSF HealthCare, says first of all, you’re not alone. She says around one in five women experience a mental health concern during pregnancy, and many of those women are taking medication for things like anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Shoemaker says most of the time, you can and should stay on your medication. But it’s a conversation you should have with your health care team.

Shoemaker implores women to talk about medication with their provider early Ideally, it’s before they conceive. Shoemaker says don’t change or stop your medicine routine until you have that talk. You may have your child’s best interest in mind, but a change could compromise your or your child’s health.

“There are some women who take years to find the perfect combination of medications that keep them stable and healthy. We don’t want to mess with that. Very rarely do we have to completely disrupt somebody’s medication regimen,” Shoemaker says. “Nothing in our field is black and white. There’s no such thing as bad medication or strictly dangerous medication. We weigh the pros and cons and decide what’s best for each patient.

“If you look online, you’re going to find all kinds of information. You’re going to find conflicting sources, old studies and poorly written studies,” Shoemaker adds, referencing the temptation to rely solely on your own research.

Shoemaker says a provider may order one or more ultrasounds before making a decision on medication. If a provider advises that a change is needed, you could go on a supplement. For example, Shoemaker says a medicine like valproic acid (a seizure medicine sometimes used for bipolar disorder) may increase the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in your unborn child. Spina bifida, or the abnormal development of the spinal cord, is a common NTD. In this case, a provider may advise adding a folic acid supplement at a high dose. Shoemaker adds that for medications like valproic acid, drugmakers and doctors are vocal up front: don’t start taking it if you’re trying to get pregnant. That way, you don’t have to possibly make a change mid-pregnancy.

If you’re on a medication that’s new to the market, that’s also a definite “must talk about” with your provider. That’s because we don’t know a lot about how new medications impact pregnancy. Shoemaker points out that scientists typically don’t do intense studies on pregnant women so they don’t disrupt the pregnancy. Rather, the research is done after birth.

“We discuss what the woman is on, how we can counteract the risk and what the actual risk is for her specific situation. Then we can make a shared decision about what is best for her and her family,” Shoemaker says. She adds that the woman’s entire care team – their primary care provider, their mental health provider and their OB/GYN or midwife – should be working together.

Shoemaker admits all this can be a tough task. But there are tried-and-true ways to get to the root of a pregnant woman’s mental health concern. Providers also build extra time into appointments to talk about mental health. Shoemaker says she often uses humor to break the tension. She can also use personal experiences to relate to the mom-to-be. And she’s also not afraid to ask a lot of questions: are you sure there’s nothing else we can talk about? How are you doing emotionally?

“If you continue to ask in new and different ways, women eventually open up. They say ‘yeah, this is really bothering me. I wondered if it was normal. I was afraid to talk about it,’” Shoemaker says. “Once you make it clear that the provider is a safe person to talk to and mental health is really important, women will open up.

“More women need to talk about how difficult it can be to be pregnant, to be a mother and to be going through this huge life transition,” Shoemaker adds.

Learn more about how you can a successful pregnancy and birth on the OSF HealthCare website.

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A pain in the neck

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 09:58:34 -0500

You’ve probably referred to that pest in your life as a “pain in the neck.” It’s a joking phrase, but it carries real weight in the medical community.

Sohail Syed, MD, an OSF HealthCare neurosurgeon, sees people with neck pain often. He wants you to know: quick action can help prevent a lifetime of pain.

Causes and symptoms

Neck overuse is a common cause of neck pain, Dr. Syed says. The strain on the muscles typically leads to dull, achy pain.

“They were pulling on [an object]. They were rear-ended [in a vehicle], and their neck whipped forward. Even something as simple as sleeping in an awkward position,” Dr. Syed says about the causes of neck pain.

A pinched nerve can also be a culprit.

“The most common cause [of a pinched nerve] is arthritis. Over time, a disc [in your spine] dries out and starts to bulge. Arthritis builds up in the joints of the neck. That can start squeezing on the nerve,” Dr. Syed explains.

“Certain activities can increase the risk for all that,” he adds. “You do something that requires moving your neck a lot. You do a lot of strenuous work. That can cause things to happen a little bit faster. It can also happen if you’re sitting at a desk at an uncomfortable angle for prolonged periods.”

Pain from a pinched nerve can travel down your body and into your hand, for example.

Treatment

Regardless of the cause of your neck pain, Dr. Syed says a good physical therapy program – both in the doctor’s office and continued at home – can take care of many cases before surgery is discussed. He estimates only around 10% of his patients need surgery.

If it does get to surgery: “A lot depends on which nerves are pinched and where,” Dr. Syed says. “For some people, we go in from the back of the neck to free up the nerve. For some, we go in through the front of the neck. Some surgeries are fusion surgeries. Some are what we call motion sparing. Rather than taking the individual bones of the neck and turning them into one bone, we’re able to keep them free. That preserves [the person’s] motion.”

Prevention

Here's an alert to put in your phone for morning, midday and evening: stretch. Stretching often can keep your neck limber. Five to 10 repetitions of up/down and side to side motions can go a long way, Dr. Syed says.

Practicing good posture goes hand-in-hand with stretching. Sit up straight at your work desk, and take breaks to walk around. Dr. Syed says research is still in progress on how much a standing desk or sitting on a big bouncy ball helps. But he says if those decrease your pain, go for it.

“If you work at a very physically involved job, make sure you have good ergonomics [good workplace behaviors]. If something is a two-person lift, grab someone. Don’t try to lift heavy things by yourself,” Dr. Syed implores.

A diet high in protein, vitamins and calcium is another must-do. Calcium helps prevent osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and makes them more prone to breaking.

And lastly, manage chronic illnesses, and drop the cigarettes.

“We know from a lot of studies that smoking damages bone metabolism. It accelerates arthritis. It’s bad for blood supply and nerves,” Dr. Syed warns.

Learn more

Read more about how to keep your body in top shape on the OSF HealthCare website.

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OSF HealthCare, OrthoMidwest to open new Orthopedics Clinic

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 09:23:16 -0500

OSF HealthCare announced another step in its commitment to clinical excellence with the signing of a clinical co-management agreement with OrthoMidwest, PLLC to offer aligned orthopedic patient care in the southwest suburbs of Chicago.

The goal of this partnership is to elevate the quality, efficiency, and safety of orthopedic care by integrating clinical and administrative leadership, as well as to bolster resources with a focus on total joint care and surgery, as well as spine surgery.

Steven J. Fineberg, MD, joins the team in August with expertise in spinal fusion, arthritis, neck pain and spine problems. He will begin accepting new patients Aug. 13, 2024. James D. Buschbach, MD, will focus on total joint repair and other joint concerns and joins the team in September. He will begin accepting new patients Sept. 19, 2024.

“At OSF Medical Group - Orthopedics, our commitment to providing exceptional personalized care is unwavering,” said Keith Moss, MD, chief medical officer at OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center. “Our partnership with OrthoMidwest brings additional resources, including cutting-edge technological advancements, to enhance the patient’s experience. With the support of our board-certified physicians, advanced practice providers, and dedicated staff, we're prepared to positively impact your orthopedic journey.”

“The partnership between OSF HealthCare and OrthoMidwest is rooted in shared values of excellence, dedication, and innovative patient care,” said Kathleen Kinsella, president of OSF Little Company of Mary. “Our collaboration will facilitate the exchange of best practices, ultimately enhancing the standard of care to new heights.”

OrthoMidwest, PLLC was formed in 2023 when Chicago-based Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and Rockford-based OrthoIllinois aggregated as a group without private equity-backing.

The OSF Medical Group – Orthopedics office will be located at the OSF Center for Health, at 6700 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn. Appointments may be made starting Friday, July 19, by calling 708-974-7340.

Get Back to Back Health

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 08:00:00 -0500

Cutting edge spinal surgery has arrived at two OSF HealthCare hospitals – in Peoria and Bloomington, Illinois.

The endoscopic spine surgery is the latest minimally invasive surgery offered at OSF, where surgeons use tiny incisions and specialized cameras to visualize and treat a variety of routine and complex spine problems with extreme precision. This is all done while minimizing injury to healthy tissue.

“Part of the beauty of endoscopic spine surgery is that it doesn’t injure any of the natural muscle or bone. It makes recovery much faster and easier for the patient. A lot of patients will come in that morning and be home by noon. The goal is to do same-day surgery and have you back home, playing with your kids, back to work, and back to normal life faster,” says Max Kahn, MD, a spinal and neurosurgeon with OSF HealthCare.

Dr. Kahn and his colleague Sohail Syed, MD, are both fellowship trained in the technique, and have both been performing endoscopic spine surgeries at OSF since April 2024. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) calls the procedure a “safe, effective and efficient alternative for minimally invasive spine surgery.” Eligible patients might be dealing with spinal deformities, herniated discs, spinal stenosis or other spinal issues.

While many people probably have had an achy back at some point, there are two red flags Dr. Kahn looks for when considering endoscopic spine surgery.

“The symptom that catches my attention the most is severe leg pain. After that, it’s severe leg pain with back pain. Back pain alone is challenging because there are a lot of reasons someone can have back pain,” Dr. Kahn says. “You mow the lawn too hard, you shovel too much snow, there are a lot of reasons someone can have back pain. But leg pain or leg pain plus back pain can frequently help us narrow down where exactly on the spine the problem is happening. We can confirm that with MRI, then set you up with an endoscopic surgery.”

Typically, spinal surgeries can come with a long recovery time at an average of 6-12 weeks. Even after that, Dr. Kahn says, you still might not be back to 100%. With the endoscopic spine surgery, Dr. Kahn says recovery time goes down drastically.

“People find that with the smaller surgeries and the smaller incisions, along with minimal blood loss that can be just a drop or two, which is possible with the endoscope, that they’re feeling themselves by two weeks or four weeks maximum. They’re also able to get back to work much faster than they normally would be,” Dr. Kahn says.

Dr. Kahn says he and his team will still work with you on different options first, if they think there are non-surgical treatments that could prove beneficial.

“We do physical therapy or epidural steroid injections to try first. Once a patient knows those therapies aren’t helping, we go to this,” Dr. Kahn says.

Dr. Kahn thinks the future is bright for endoscopic spine surgeries. He says the technology will eventually expand to treat other deadly diseases.

“A very exciting application for this one day will be spinal oncology. Those are colossally huge surgeries that take months to get back to your normal life. That’s on top of things like chemotherapy and radiation, which can make recovery even harder,” Dr. Kahn says. “I think this technology with the minimal incisions and the great view you get of the problem is going to be a fantastic use of this technology for a cancer patient.”

If you believe endoscopic spine surgery is an option for you, contact Dr. Kahn or Dr. Syed at OSF by calling (309) 624-4000.

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‘They told me I wouldn’t live past 30’

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 11:00:00 -0500

On September 2, 1952, 14-year-old Phyllis Kemnetz got a headache that would change her life.

“I told people it hurt like, well, a word we weren’t supposed to say back then,” Kemnetz, now 86 and living in Savoy, Illinois, recalls with a smirk.

She was about to become a statistic in a polio epidemic and battle a disease that still impacts her in 2024.

Though polio is nearly eradicated today thanks to childhood vaccinations, both the disease and the shots have garnered headlines lately. This month, Paul Alexander, who spent much of his life in an iron lung, passed away at age 78. And the state of Illinois is combating a measles outbreak, reminding us of the importance of vaccines.

Kemnetz’s story

Kemnetz says the week she got her headache that led to a polio diagnosis was a painful blur.

“All my senses were on high alert,” she says. “The littlest sound was like somebody stomping next to my ear. We had a little night light. I couldn’t even stand to have it on.”

On Sunday, the family doctor made a house call and immediately called for an ambulance. Kemnetz wound up at Mercy Hospital in Urbana, Illinois (now OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center). That next month, she says, was also a blur. Among other things, doctors upon her arrival performed a spinal tap to examine Kemnetz’s spinal fluid. She also recalls waking up one day with doctors preparing to put her in an iron lung to help her breathe.

“I screamed at my parents not to put me in that. I was terrified,” Kemnetz says.

After leaving the hospital, Kemnetz got more treatment near her home before spending over a year at a hospital in New York. There, she reprogrammed her leg muscles to work through repetitious exercises. It’s what we know today as physical therapy. Eventually, she returned to a mostly normal life and a career in real estate.

Polio then vs. now

Albert England, MD, an infectious disease physician at OSF HealthCare, says polio has been around “for a long time.” There’s even evidence of ancient Egyptians having it, he says. The disease is caused by a virus that “invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Other symptoms are flu-like, including fever, difficulty breathing, fatigue, headache, vomiting, a stiff neck and pain in the arms or legs.

Dr. England says today, doctors use ventilators to help sick people who can’t breathe. But back in 1952, the iron lung – which Kemnetz got acquainted with – was the help available for people with polio.

“It produced negative pressure around the patient, allowing the lungs to expand and contract regularly,” Dr. England explains.

“It was like having CPR 24/7,” Kemnetz says of lying in the tube. “So uncomfortable.”

Kemnetz also gave blood to help develop a polio vaccine, the number one way we have come to fight that disease and many others. It’s a topic she’s passionate about today.

“We have to save the children,” she says.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says children should get four doses of the polio vaccine as a part of routine childhood vaccinations. The CDC says while it’s rare, adults who know or suspect they did not get the shots as kids should get them as adults. Adults who are at an increased risk of getting the disease, such as working in a laboratory where the virus may be present, can get a booster shot.

“The vaccine prevents illness by developing antibodies,” Dr. England explains.

Kemnetz today

In 1985, Kemnetz developed post-polio syndrome, a disorder that weakens the nerves and muscles. She says her hands “look nice,” but everyday tasks like writing, eating or shuffling cards are tough.

“There are just not as many neurons providing the strength the people need,” Dr. England says of post-polio syndrome.

But, after being told in 1952 that walking, having children and living a long life was unlikely, Kemnetz is counting her blessings. Among them are the chances to recount her life story with her children and grandchildren.

“I think I thumbed my nose at them pretty good,” she quips about her prognosis back then. “The word ‘can’t’ isn’t in my vocabulary.”

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OSF Heart of Mary opening pain and spine center

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 09:14:08 -0600

Residents in the Champaign County area will soon have increased access to care for chronic pain and spine issues through a new clinic at OSF HealthCare Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana.

The renovated space on the first floor of the hospital is expected to be open for patient care on December 20. Hours will be Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Services offered include lidocaine and steroid injections and radio frequency ablation, both of which are designed to decrease pain and provide an alternative to surgery.

Zeeshan Ahmad, MD, a longtime spine and pain management provider in Champaign-Urbana, is returning to the area to serve patients at the new center. He will be joined by neurosurgeons from OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute and other clinical staff. OSF is also exploring adding other providers to meet the needs of the community. The clinic will also have a dedicated parking lot and entrance to make appointments more convenient.

“With an aging population across the country, care for chronic pain and spine issues is in high demand, and it’s no different in Champaign County,” said J.T. Barnhart, president of OSF Heart of Mary. “Living with daily pain impacts your quality of life. That’s why the ability to get an appointment quickly through this new clinic is important. Our Mission Partners [employees] are excited to meet this community need.”

People can also choose to use OSF Heart of Mary for related services like physical therapy and MRIs, making the hospital a one-stop shop for treatment of pain and spine issues. OSF HealthCare accepts most insurances, including Health Alliance.

People interested in an appointment at the pain and spine center can call (217) 337-3045.

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Not your typical back pain

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 14:14:13 -0500

Mick Mars has spent more than 40 years as lead guitarist for the legendary rock band Mötley Crüe. During that time, Mars has suffered from a disease called ankylosing spondylitis (AS) – a form of arthritis of the spine that causes inflammation between the vertebrae and in the joints between the spine and pelvis.

Mars has announced that due to his condition, he is retiring from touring with the band. Mars was a teenager when he first experienced the onslaught of AS; he addressed his condition in the band’s biography in 2001.

“My hips started hurting so bad every time I turned my body that it felt like someone was igniting fireworks in my bones,” he said. “I didn’t have enough money to see a doctor, so I just kept hoping that I could do what I usually do: will it away, thought the power of my mind. But it kept getting worse.”

The 71-year-old rocker is not alone in this fight, but is in rare air when it comes to AS: about 300,000 people (less than 1% of the adult population) have this disease. While there is no known cause of AS, there may be a genetic link, according to medical experts. And while anyone can get AS, it tends to affect men more than women. Symptoms generally appear between the ages of 17 and 45. Some people have consistent pain, while others experience milder symptoms.

“The most common symptoms are low back pain or posterior pelvic pain," says Rebekah Lesko, a physical therapist for OSF HealthCare. "It’s a general low back pain or ache. Some people have trouble breathing because as the inflammation progresses it can cause fusion; it can affect the expansion of the rib cage as well. Another common side effect is inflammation or blurriness of vision because it can cause inflammation of the eye.”

AS is a lifelong condition with no cure. While AS affects mostly the spine, it can also inflame joints in the pelvis, shoulders, hips and knees. People with AS are more likely to experience spinal fractures as well as osteoporosis and fused vertebrae.

“The best treatment for ankylosing spondylitis is maintaining a regular exercise regimen to keep the joints from fusing and keeping good posture," says Lesko. "There’s also medical management through non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic drugs and in cases of severe inflammation, using steroids to decrease that inflammation as well.”

Lesko knows all about AS, both professionally and personally. At 17, Lesko began developing serious back pain while helping her father bale hale on the family farm. The pain didn’t go away so Lesko consulted with doctors and underwent a battery of tests before she was diagnosed with AS. As a three-sport athlete, Lesko struggled during her senior year of high school as she had to give up all activities, begin a regimen of medications and learn how to manage her symptoms.

“In my mid 20s I went off my medication and I was really well managed with physical activity," says Lesko. "I’ve had on a few occasions uveitis, which is the inflammation of the eye, where I have to use steroid drops, and steroid dose packs for flares of the back pain on occasion but at this point things are pretty well managed. I know the things to do to get the pain under control, which is usually gentle physical activity and staying in a regular regimen of exercise.”

Lesko says the treatment of AS has drastically changed over time. Years ago, patients were not encouraged to move or take part in physical activity due to their condition. Now, physical therapists teach patients the importance of good posture and ergonomics to avoid prolonged positioning, along with breathing exercises and gentle stretches for the spine.

“The biggest thing is make sure you maintain your posture, stay active, don’t give up on yourself, keep trying different things to manage the pain, get a good rheumatologist who can help you with that and find a physical therapist who can help support you in that because you don’t have to live in daily pain," says Lesko. "It can really be managed.”

For more information about AS, visit OSF HealthCare.