Question
Hello,

I am 17 years old and this time last year I was being treated for a grade 1/2 tear of a lumbar ligament in my lower back after a car accident the year previous.  During my treatment, the osteopath discovered that I had 4 vertebrae in my lower back that were fused together. He said that this was so from birth (however a new discovery to both myself and my parents) and that it is identifiable due to the shape of my spine with my seated posture and a brown mark on my skin in that area.

I accepted this fact and continued with my life as normal as I could, i.e. school and my usual weekly dance classes.  However, as of recent, my back pain has become worse.  I therefore took it upon myself this evening to do a bit of research into my "condition", shall we say, and discovered a question on this topic that you answered from someone else and you suggested to them that it may be Ankylosing spondylitis.  I clicked on the link you provided and thought this sounded quite like me and became quite worried with how it may progress, with the whole hunched posture and inability to raise your head, especially as I am still quite young.  
I was just wondering, from your professional opinion, if it could be this and if there is anything I can do to ease the aches and pains or prevent it from getting worse.  My dance teacher has given me a number of booklets on back strengthening exercises which I am in the early stages of using.

I was also wondering if I will be susceptible to anything in the future such as arthritis or pregnancy problems (I know it's a fair way off but I'd rather know now).

I am sorry if this is quite messy and confusing!
I really appreciate your time and help and I look forward to your reply,

Thank you very much
Kind regards,
Victoria

Answer
Dear Victoria,

I am sorry that it has taken a while to answer. I typed an answer last week, but evidently something happened, and you didn't get it. I will write another for you.

First of all, your doctor cannot tell if you have spinal fusion due to the posture of your back during sitting and a strange brown mark on your skin.  I hope that x-rays of the spine were taken to confirm the diagnosis...

Second, even if you are experiencing ankylosing spondylitis, it is not going to interfere with your ability to concieve and have children.  The condition is poorly understood, and there is no known cure. The only thing that you can do is continue to remain active, keeping the joints moving.

I would not convince myself of having ankylosing spondylitis without a definitive diagnosis. In the mean time, stay active, see a chiropractor if you can, do your stretching and exercises.  Remeber that a lot of people have back pain and very few of them have ankylosing spondylitis. Most back pain issues in young people are related to sprain/strains and related spasms of muscles.
I hope that this helps you.