 Ankylosing
Spondylitis is one form of inflammatory arthritis, in
which the joints and ligaments of the spine become inflamed.
This condition can also effect other joints, eyes, lungs,
and the heart.
Approximately
129 of every 100,000 people in the United States are
diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis. About a third
of all persons diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis
may have symptoms that affect other parts of the body
besides the joints and ligaments, including the heart
and blood vessels.
This
condition tends to be inherited, and generally occurs
in men between the ages of 16 and 30, but can also
occur in women. The majority of people with ankylosing
spondylitis have a gene called HLA-B27. Your primary
care physician or Rheumatologist may do blood test
for anemia, an elevated sedimentation rate, and for
the HLA-B27 gene when diagnosing Ankylosing Spondylitis.
A spine surgeon will confirm the diagnosis with
x-rays, MRI's, and CT scans.
The
earlier Ankylosing Spondylitis is treated, the better.
As your body tries to heal itself, new bone forms forming
vertical bony outgrowths (syndesmophytes) and fusing
the vertebras together causing the spine to become
stiff and inflexible. Spontaneous fusion can also stiffen
the rib cage, restricting lung capacity and function.
The treatment options include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory
medication, Corticosteroids, and surgery. |
Surgical
Treatment:
Patients who require surgical intervention
generally have a progressive posture deformity such
as "chin
on chest",
chronic stiffness, stooping, fatigue, and a decreased
range of motion.
Spinal
balance is achieved by overcorrecting the deformity.
A cervical osteotomy, typically performed at C7-T1,
can restore the spinal balance. The patient on the
left was treated with anterior and posterior osteotmies
and halo.
Related links:
Ankylosing
Spondylitis Research Paper
NeckPainExplained.com
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