Ankylosing Spondylitis is a chronic inflammation of the spine as well as of the sacroiliac joints. Treatment for AS or Ankylosing Spondylitis focus at preventing deformity in the spine and relieving the patient’s symptoms. The good news is surgery is seldom required in treating this condition.
Typical treatment often starts with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy (Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2007). Your Physical Therapist will guide the patient on how to perform exercise that is specifically designed to increase flexibility, improve posture, ways to enhance breathing and strengthen back muscles. You can also do activities to aid in lessening stiffness like swimming, gentle stretching done in bed before rising and a warm bath or shower.
Ankylosing Spondylitis patients are prone to spinal injury or fractures. In instances when spinal fractures happen then a non-surgical form of treatment is use like bracing or traction. For cervical fractures it may need a halo brace. This device will immobilize the neck or cervical spine. This halo is also well fitted with a jacket-like brace which secures the thoracic, lumbar as well as sacral regions. These brace will have to be worn at least three months or depends on the severity of the patient’s condition.
The good thing is ankylosing spondylitis does not really need a surgery but in some cases surgery might be needed if the following situation occurs – spinal deformity is optimal to the point that patient may have hard time eating, difficulty in driving, have hard time making visual contact and cannot look forward; Spine stability is compromised, there is neurologic deficit or a combination of all.
There are several surgical procedures that are available. Your doctor will discuss with you your best surgical option which will depend on the severity of the disorder, neurologic compromise, spinal stability and other factors.
There is no cure for Ankylosing Spondylitis but the good thing is most patients are mildly affected. Also as you advance in age, this condition tends to get less severe. The symptoms do not really keep the patient from leading a normal life although one just has to make adjustments in their lifestyle. Pain can be well managed by medication, exercise and other physical therapy.