Robert Alan Deal best known as Mick Mars, an American musician and the former lead guitarist and co-founder of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe suffers from a rare form of athritis known as ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
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He has suffered from the autoimmune disease since he was 19 years.
On October 28, 2022, Mick announced through a rep that he will be unable to tour with the band he co-founded due to his struggle with the disease.
A rep for the 71-year-old musician told Variety on Wednesday about Mars’ degenerative disease;
“Mick Mars, co-founder and lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe for the past 41 years, has announced today [Oct. 28] that due to his ongoing painful struggle with Ankylosing Spondylitis (A.S.), he will no longer be able to tour with the band.”
The statement continued;
“Mick will continue as a member of the band, but can no longer handle the rigors of the road. A.S. is an extremely painful and crippling degenerative disease, which affects the spine.”
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What Is Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)?
According to Mayoclinic, ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that, over time, can cause some of the bones in the spine (vertebrae) to fuse.
- The fusing leads to the spine becoming less flexible and can result in a hunched posture.
- If the ribs are affected, it can be difficult to breathe deeply.
- Ankylosing spondylitis affects men more often than women.
- Its and symptoms typically begin in early adulthood.
- In some cases, it brings about inflammation in other parts of the body — most commonly, the eyes.
Sadly, there is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis. However, treatments can lessen symptoms and possibly slow progression of the disease.
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