Ankylosing Spondylitis: What you Should Know

Ankylosing spondylitis is a kind of arthritis consisting of the inflammation of ligaments and joints around the spine. This occurs especially in those in the lower back that connects with the pelvis. For this reason, the most evident sign of ankylosing spondylitis is a pain in the lower back. 

Causes and Symptoms

Usually, this condition is mainly characterized by different stages of pain around the spine also affecting the nearby extremities. Due to the swelling, the affected areas can also present stiffness, difficulty to move, numbness and so on. In more severe cases this condition can even affect other body areas for example by causing the eyes to swell as well.

The main regions where the soreness is spread include the hips, the buttocks, and the back thighs. However, it can spread to near regions also affecting the neck, shoulders, hands, knees, and toes. As it intensifies these body parts can lose their range of movement and feel stiff and numb due to the swelling.

Among other symptoms, we find that it could affect the performance of the lungs, the cardiovascular system, and the intestines. Additionally, we could also identify fever, lack of hunger and fatigue.

There is not a certain cause for this issue, however, genetics play a big role in its appearance. First-grade relatives of spondylitis patients have a significantly greater chance of developing it. 

Treatment and Prevention

To diagnose ankylosing spondylitis the doctor will require an X-ray from the spine and from the pelvis. However, since this condition can affect other parts of the body, possibly the patient will require being observed by other specialists depending on the symptoms.

Once diagnosed, as for any other inflammation issue, the most common way to fight the symptoms at an early stage will be anti-inflammatory medicine and pain killers.

Physiotherapy exercises can greatly help reduce joint pain and enhance strength and flexibility. The program shall be assigned to the patient depending on their condition and symptoms. In the same way, it is also recommended to practice a sport that will focus the back muscles.

Finally, surgery is the least used alternative. Usually, this is only required when the inflammation is too advanced, and the joints are severely damaged, consequently having significantly lost the ability to move as usual. Generally, this surgery consists of replacing the hip or the knee joints. On rare occasions, the intervention consists of aligning the spine, since this is a very delicate procedure.

There is not a cure for this condition, but it is important to detect it as soon as possible so the treatment can be implemented effectively. This way the pain and other symptoms can be alleviated at an early stage.

Orthopedic Corner | Leon Mead MD Orthopedic Doctor | 730 Goodlette Road North, Suite 201  Naples Florida 34102 | Phone: (239) 262-1119