A 56 year old man with ankylosing spondylitis and discovertebral destruction presented with signs of spinal cord compression that was the result of the soft tissue reaction occurring at the level of the discovertebral destruction. This case emphasises the importance of early recognition, use of appropriate imaging techniques (computed tomographic myelography or magnetic resonance), and operative intervention in the management of this rare complication of ankylosing spondylitis.