Ankylosing Spondylitis Flashcards
What is ankylosing spondylitis?
chronic inflammatory joint disease
what does ankylosing spondylitis cause?
stiffening and fusion (ankylosis) of spine and sacroiliac joints
at what age does ankylosing spondylitis occurs?
begins late adolescence or early adulthood ( peak incidence is 20 yrs)
Who suffers from ankylosing spondylitis?
- Males 3:1
what is the cause of ankylosing spondylitis?
cause is unkown but probs genetic predisposition
what does ankylosing spondylitis affect?
where tendons and ligaments attach to bones
how does ankylosing spondylitis begin?
begins with inflammation of fibrocartilage, particularly in the vert and sacrioiliac joint
what infiltrates and erodes the fibrocartilage?
inflammatory cells
What happens when repair begins in ankylosing spondylitis?
scar tissue ossifies and calcidies; joint eventually fuses ( usually beginning with the sacroiliac joints and progressing to the vert column)
what are the 5 clinical manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis?
- lower back pain and stiffness that is worse after prologed rest and eases with activity
- normal convex curve of lower spone diminishes and concavity of upper spine increases
- pleuritic chest pain, restricted chest movement, pelvic tenderness, tenderness in heels and sitting on hard surfaces is unbearable
- fibrotic changes in lungs, cardiomegaly, aortic incompetence, amyloidosis, archilles tendinitis
- fatigue, weightloss, low grade fever, hypochonic anemia
Evaluation of ankylosing spondilitis
history and PR xray MRI serum analysis HLA-B27 erythrocute sedimentation alkaline phosphate levels elevated
4 TM ankylosing spondilitis
1, phys therapy to maintain skeletal mobility
non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
analgesis med prescribed to suppress some pain and stiffness to facilitate exercise
symptom relief
