Back Pain a must have with AS?

Long story short ... Started pain at 14 (Hips & Knees) Finally Diagnosed at 36 Doc gave diagnose of AS Insurance wouldn't let me continue to see him (out of network) New Doc at 41 (been working w/my family doc, pain to great now) New Doc gave Undif Spon because I have no spine fusing on X-ray. He said after nearly 27 years I should have some sign of AS in my spine. Is this necessarily true? I do have lower back pain and neck pain, but it only started within last 6 years. Until then majority of my severe pain was in lower half of my body. Do you always end up with major spine problems with AS?