Bechterew's disease is also called Marie Strumpell disease, rheumatoid spondylitis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Ankylosing is a term meaning rigid or stiff. Spondyl refers to the spine, while itis means inflammation. Ankylosing spondylitis causes inflammation of the spine and affects young males predominantly, producing pain and stiffness as a result of inflammation of the sacroiliac, intervertebral, and costovertebral joints. It may progress to cause complete spinal and thoracic rigidity. It...