Ankylosing Spondylitis

Question 1

Define ankylosing spondylitis

Answer 1

Seronegative inflammatory arthropathy.

Chronic inflammatory disease of the spine and sacro-iliac joints

Question 2

Typical patient group ankylosing spondylitis

Answer 2

Male
20-40 y.o.
90% HLA-B27 positive

Question 3

Presentation of ankylosing spondylitis

Answer 3

Spinal pain and stiffness
Developing hip of knee arthritis
Can lead to fusion of intervertebral joints and SI joints
Increased thoracic kyphosis and loss of lumbar lordosis
Loss of lumbar spine flexion
BAMBOO SPINE

Question 4

Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis

Answer 4

Physio
Exercise
NSAIDs
Anti-TNF inhibitors
DMARDs but only if peripheral joint inflammation
Surgery for knee and hip arthritis
Kyphoplasty is controversial and carries high risk