Gait Analysis in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Narrative Review

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that predominantly affects the axial skeleton, leading to progressive spinal rigidity, postural alterations, and functional impairment. Gait disturbances are common in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and result from complex biomechanical interactions involving the spine, pelvis, and lower extremities. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize current evidence regarding gait characteristics in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, with emphasis on spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters and the underlying biomechanical mechanisms. A review of the literature demonstrates that patients with ankylosing spondylitis often exhibit reduced walking speed, shorter step and stride length, altered pelvic and trunk motion, and changes in joint kinematics of the hip, knee, and ankle. These alterations are influenced by spinal deformity, reduced spinal and pelvic mobility, muscle weakness, and compensatory strategies adopted to maintain balance and forward progression. Gait analysis provides valuable objective information on functional limitations in ankylosing spondylitis and may serve as a useful tool for disease assessment, rehabilitation planning, and evaluation of therapeutic interventions. A better understanding of gait biomechanics in ankylosing spondylitis can contribute to optimized multidisciplinary management and improved quality of life for affected individuals.