A 20-year-old male patient presented with a history of lower backache and early morning stiffness for two years. He also gave a history of bilateral heel pain for 6 months. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Options

1. Ankylosing spondylitis
2. Tuberculosis of the spine
3. Disc prolapse
4. Mechanical pain

Correct Answer

Ankylosing spondylitis

Explanation

The clinical triad of chronic lower back pain with morning stiffness (improving with activity), young male patient, and bilateral heel pain (enthesitis - inflammation at Achilles tendon insertion) is characteristic of ankylosing spondylitis, a seronegative spondyloarthropathy. It typically affects young males and is HLA-B27 associated.

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