Currently getting diagnosed

Hello, first post here.. I'm 32 w/ family history of AS and I've been putting off going to the rheumatologist for years.

My Dad has severe AS ever since I was a kid and always said there isn't anything that works well to treat it so to just exercise and (essentially) ignore it.

Before covid I was a competitive boxer, ran half marathons and 25km obstacle courses. I would often get flares of pain in my back and knees that lasted a few weeks but always powered through, no pain no gain.

2 years later, things are bad now. Not so much my back although I do have pain everyday. My knees feel completely shot, I can barely run, if I do anything I pay for it the next day. I still lift weights but I am unable to do many leg exercises.

I couldn't put it off anymore because I need to get back in shape.

I finally went this week and upon reading my blood work and family history and doctors notes, he began by saying he is 90% sure I have AS but wants to do and MRI to be sure.

The reason I post is because he said something that I don't understand. He said my knee and leg pain is coming from my back and the MRI will show this.

My knees feel like my no. 1 problem, they are red hot and in pain every day. Do you guys agree with what he says?

I am not diagnosed yet but sick of feeling shitty, feels kinda nice to have a place to vent out my thoughts.