Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that, over time, can lead to a fusion of the vertebrae of the spine, so that it becomes less flexible and a hunched posture appears. In this post we talk about ankylosing spondylitis, its most common symptoms and causes, as well as the best diagnosis and treatment for this disease. Don't miss anything in this article.
What is ankylosing spondylitis?
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the joints of the spine.. It is a disease that, according to the Spanish Society of Rheumatology, affects between 0.5% and 1% of the population whose incidence is 7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year, more commonly present in men than in women, in which usually appears between 20 and 30 years of age.
Ankylosing spondylitis is known to be a chronic form of arthritis, which mostly affects the bones and joints at the base of the spine, where it connects to the pelvis.
Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis
Signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis usually begin in early adulthood. Early signs include pain and stiffness in the lower back and hip, usually in the mornings and after periods of inactivity.
Pain in the neck area and the patient's fatigue are other of the most common symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis.
Fusion of the joints of the spine can result in a limitation of spinal mobility, resulting in a loss of spinal flexibility and stiffness.
Other parts of the body that can be affected by ankylosing spondylitis are:
- Inflammation and pain of men's joints, knees and ankles.
- Intercostal joints and the sternum.
- Inflammation and redness of the eyes.
Causes of spondylitis
Currently, the cause of ankylosing spondylitis is not known, but the truth is that there appears to be a genetic predisposition. In particular, People who have the gene known as HLA-B27 have a higher risk of suffering from a ankylosing spondylitis.
The truth is also that many of the people who have this gene never suffer from this disease.
Diagnosis and treatment of ankylosing spondylitis
The diagnosis and treatment for spondylitis seeks to relieve symptoms and prevent or delay deformities, as well as help the patient continue with their daily activities and improve their quality of life.
Diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis
The diagnosis of this disease is made based on the patient's symptoms and a physical examination of the patient. They are usually requested diagnostic tests such as x-rays of the pelvis and spine, whose purpose is to observe the changes that have been generated by inflammation in the vertebrae of the spinal cord.
Studying the spine using magnetic resonance imaging helps detect acute injuries in patients suffering from this disease. Likewise, performing certain blood tests can support this diagnosis.
The presence of the HLA B-27 antigen helps the specialist to corroborate the diagnosis.
How is spondylitis treated?
Currently there is no treatment that can finally cure this disease. So Some medications and spinal rehabilitation techniques relieve pain symptoms and allow good mobility of the spine, thus avoiding an unfavorable evolution of the disease.
The most important thing for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis is performing regulated physical and breathing exercises, as well as practicing sports that allow correct extension of the back and maintaining the mobility of the shoulders and hips. In anything, it is recommended to avoid contact sports, given the possibility of joint and bone trauma.
Only in some cases will surgical intervention be necessary on damaged joints that have minimal mobility, generally the hip.
It is possible to maintain a good quality of life with the presence of a disease such as ankylosing spondylitis, but above all, it is necessary to make a timely diagnosis and follow certain measures to control the spine in the daily routine. Do you suffer from any pathology in your spine? At ICAC there are more than 9,000 happy patients who have visited our spine center to start living a life without spinal pain. Get a customized professional diagnosis with our spinal traumatologists. We are happy to help you so that you can return to your routine without pain.
21 thoughts on “La espondilitis anquilosante, una forma crónica de artritis”
I think I have this illness lately, my neck and lower back have hurt a lot lately.
Hello Cyrus,
It is best to perform a test to confirm it and in that case define pain treatment and rehabilitation to improve your quality of life.
Greetings
I suffer from this disease, I have waited a long time to start treatment. Now I am undergoing studies with a rheumatologist, ophthalmologist and cardiologist. The inflammation in my knees is terrible, pain in the sacral area, high blood pressure and the electro has gone wrong, so now I have to do carotid studies and an ultrasound of the heart. These neglects of my health have affected my eyes too.
Tiredness, lack of desire to do things, anguish, is terrible.
You don't have to let yourself be, later everything gets very complicated. Now, at 51 years old, I am afraid.
Hi Patricia,
The sooner you start treatments, the better. But it is never too late to start working and doing rehabilitation to improve your lifestyle.
Greetings!
Hello Patricia, I feel very identified with you, since I have the same symptoms, although no matter how many tests they do on me, they can't find them, because I haven't been seen by a rheumatologist. I am desperate for pain and stiffness, especially in the mornings when I get up, and at night I wake up in pain. I have pain in my sacrum, one eye swells sometimes, and I have psoriasis on one leg. I feel anxious, but when I get up in the mornings, it's very difficult for me to move around and do things.
My son has knee pain, in the same leg he has swollen 2 fingers on the other leg, what is called guava, it is swollen, now it hurts, what type of tests should he have done to see if it is Ankylosing Apondylitis?
Hi Freddy,
X-rays of the pelvis and spine are usually indicated to check for inflammation of the vertebrae. An MRI and certain blood tests may also be requested that can support the diagnosis.
Greetings
Yesterday the rheumatologist informed me that I have this disease. I had breast cancer surgery last year and I have a calcified aorta, in addition to very blurred vision.
Is all this related? Can I develop bone cancer? I am in pain, scared and very distressed.
Hello Evangelina,
Ankylosing spondylitis is not directly related to breast cancer, but some autoimmune conditions can influence overall health. Calcified aorta and blurred vision require monitoring. You won't necessarily develop bone cancer, but see your doctors to rule out complications. It's normal to feel distressed; seek emotional and professional support.
Greetings.
They have done a complete blood count and the only thing that comes out is HLA B27 positive and all my joints hurt, the worst is my lower back and the soles of my feet. They have told me that it could be primary axial spondyloarthritis. The X-ray and MRI tests have come out fine. I don't understand. I'm in pain. They have prescribed me celecoxib 200 MG. I don't know if this will help me. I have anxiety. I want to live my normal life and I can't handle the pain. The worst thing is when I get out of bed and when I stop.
Hello Maribel,
We are very sorry that you are experiencing this pain. In order to determine if the indicated treatment is the most appropriate, it would be necessary for our specialists to evaluate your case in detail. Primary axial spondyloarthritis can be complex to diagnose and treat, so it is essential to have a specialist in the spine.
If you wish, you can schedule an appointment with our team by calling 91 005 39 00 so they can assess your situation and help you find the most appropriate treatment to relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Greetings.
Hello! I have ankylosing spondylitis and I was told that the average life expectancy is approximately 10 years from the moment the disease is detected. I would like to know how true this information is and if so, what is the real life expectancy that one has due to this. Thank you very much!
Hello Lucia,
The prognosis varies widely from person to person, and the outcome depends on a number of factors, including how quickly a person is diagnosed, what treatment they receive, and how each person responds to treatment. With the right approach, including medications to control inflammation and physical therapy to maintain mobility, many people with ankylosing spondylitis can lead active, healthy lives for many years.
We encourage you to speak with your specialist to clarify any specific questions about your case and how to best manage the disease. If you would like a second opinion on your case, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment with our spine specialists, who will be able to study your situation in detail and determine the best treatment approach.
Greetings.
My brothers and I suffer from this disease, they are in a lot of pain (they don't exercise) a year ago I was stiff in bed with pain in my lower back, until I started training with weights at the gym after this year, zero pain and with a lot of mobility and I still don't take medical treatment, but I have improved a lot with strength exercises to strengthen my muscles and stretching every day
Hello Dayana,
Thank you for sharing your experience. It's invaluable to know how strength training and daily stretching have contributed to your improvement. Keeping your muscles active can be a great help in cases of ankylosing spondylitis. Even so, we recommend regular medical follow-up to assess your progress and ensure everything is under control.
Greetings.
Hello, good morning. I'm Sandra Mora. My rheumatologist diagnosed me with ankylosing spondylitis and fibromyalgia. I have many of the same symptoms as everyone else. I live with a lot of pain; I can't stand my feet anymore, and the pain is excruciating. There are days when the pain, stiffness, and fatigue prevent me from living my normal life, and I stay home to rest.
I'm from Mexico. And my doctor is excellent. I understand and am deeply sorry for everything we've been through, but I encourage you to move forward and be happy, even with our condition.
I lovingly accepted my condition, but I need to know if there are any special belts or clothing to prevent deformation of the spine up to the neck?
Hello Sandra,
We're so sorry you're experiencing so much pain. There are some postural belts and orthopedic garments designed to provide support to the spine and help maintain proper alignment. These can be helpful as supplemental support, especially in the early stages or for specific times of the day. However, they alone do not halt or correct the progression of the disease or replace medical treatment or physical therapy.
Therefore, it is recommended that your rheumatologist or a rehabilitation specialist advise you on what type of support may be appropriate for your particular case and how to integrate it into a comprehensive therapeutic approach.
Greetings.
My daughter has spondylitis and right now she has a bulging in her lower back, is this normal?
Hello Ingrid,
Thank you for sharing your daughter's case. In some cases of spondylitis, inflammation can occur in the lower back, which can cause discomfort or pain. Each case is unique, so it's essential to have one of our specialists evaluate the patient to provide an accurate diagnosis and assess whether a treatment adjustment is necessary. If you wish, you can schedule an appointment with our team so they can evaluate your case and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Greetings.
إنا من ليبيا اعاني من الوضع لا يطاق هناك الم في مفصل الحوض الأيسر وهو يوقضني من النوم لم استطيع النوم على ظهري حالتي متقدمة جدا
Madame
نأسف جدًا لسماع أنك تمر بحالة مؤلمة إلى هذا الحد. يمكن لالتهاب الفقار اللاصق أن يسبب أعراضًا شديدة الإعاقة، خاصة في المراحل المتقدمة. إن الألم في مفصل الورك وصعوبة النوم يشير إلى أن الالتهاب لا يزال نشطًا، وقد يكون من الضروري تعديل خطة العلاج.
من الأفضل أن يقوم طبيب مختص بتقييم حالتك بشكل مفصل، للنظر في إمكانية تغيير الأدوية مخصصة لتخفيف الألم وتحسين Good morning.
مع أطيب التمنيات.