Original
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis in which there is long term inflammation of the joints of the spine. In the late nineteenth century, the neurophysiologist V. Bekhterev of Russia, Adolph Strümpell of Germany and Pierre Marie of France were the first to give adequate descriptions which permitted an accurate diagnosis of it prior to severe spinal deformity. For this reason, is also known as Bekhterev Disease, Bechterew's Disease or Marie–Strümpell Disease.