![]() Progression of disease may lead to spinal fusion. This radiographical stage is known as ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Patients present with severe pain and spinal stiffness, which ultimately may lead to radiographical changes in the spine and sacroiliac joints. DefinitionĪxial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic progressive inflammatory arthropathy. In people whose symptoms are refractory to these approaches, tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors and interleukin-17 inhibitors play a key role. Physiotherapy and NSAIDs are the cornerstone of treatment. This is defined as back pain that is of insidious onset, is worse in the morning, and improves with exercise.Ī positive response to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is characteristic of most patients. Inflammatory back pain is the hallmark clinical feature. The seronegative spondyloarthropathies (including psoriatic arthritis, enteropathic arthritis, and reactive arthritis) are a heterogenous group of conditions with overlapping clinical manifestations and association with the gene HLA-B27.Īxial spondyloarthritis is a chronic progressive inflammatory arthropathy, which ultimately may lead to radiographical changes in the spine and sacroiliac joints. The National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) has information on living with the condition, including advice on working, travelling and driving.Axial spondyloarthritis is classified as a seronegative spondyloarthropathy. ![]() Read about the complications of ankylosing spondylitis. cardiovascular disease – a group of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels.With modern treatments, AS does not normally affect life expectancy significantly, although the condition is associated with an increased risk of other potentially life-threatening problems. However, some people eventually become severely disabled as a result of the bones in their spine fusing in a fixed position and damage to other joints, such as the hips or knees. Some people with AS are able to remain fully independent or minimally disabled in the long term. For some people the condition improves after an initial period of inflammation, whereas for others it can get progressively worse over time. Read about treating ankylosing spondylitis. Surgery is sometimes needed to repair significantly damaged joints or correct severe bends in the spine, but this is uncommon. medicine to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation – such as painkillers, anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) medication and other forms of biological therapy.physiotherapy – where physical methods, such as massage and manipulation, are used to improve comfort and spinal flexibility.exercises carried out individually or in groups to reduce pain and stiffness.In most cases treatment involves a combination of: However, treatment is available to relieve the symptoms and help delay its progression. There's no cure for AS and it's not possible to reverse the damage caused by the condition. Read about the causes of ankylosing spondylitis. It's not known what causes the condition, but there's thought to be a link with a particular gene variant known as HLA-B27. Read about diagnosing ankylosing spondylitis. If your GP thinks you may have the condition, they should refer you to a specialist in conditions affecting muscles and joints (rheumatologist) for further tests and any necessary treatment.įurther tests may include blood tests and imaging tests. You should see your GP if you have persistent symptoms of AS. Read about symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis. In some people the condition gets better with time, but for others it can get slowly worse. These symptoms tend to develop gradually, usually over several months or years, and may come and go over time. pain and swelling in other parts of the body – caused by inflammation of the joints ( arthritis) and inflammation where a tendon joins a bone (enthesitis).The symptoms of AS can vary, but usually involve: ![]() The symptoms and treatment are similar if you have non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.ĪS and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis tend to first develop in teenagers and young adults. There is a similar condition called non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, where changes to the spine cannot be seen on an X-ray, but can sometimes be seen on an MRI scan. In AS changes to the spine can be seen on an X-ray. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a long-term condition in which the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed.
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