Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Flashcards
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
A chronic, multi-system inflammatory condtion.** A form of arthritis that is chronic and often affects the spine. **
Fusion of the spine, as a results of the joint in the spine and sacroilium being affected.
Epidemiology of AS
- typically occurs in young men aged 18-30
- Men 3; Women 1
- cause is unknown, IDIOPATHIC but genetic factors play a huge role.
Symptoms of AS?
- pain in sacroiliac and LBP.
- Permanent dull, but worse at rest in the morning and night.
- Pain is relieved by motion and better in the afternoon.
- LB stiffness in the morning and is relieved by acticity and warm showers.
- Stiffness and tenderness of back muscles
- Enthesopathies, pain at the site of liga attachment to bone.
- extra-articular manifestations usually in the eyes.
Tests and Measurement of AS
- cervical mobility
- thoracic mobility
- lumbar mobility
- Lab tests
- ESR
Management of AS
there exists no cure.
- Drug therapy; anti-inflammatory drugs, DMARD, TNF, local corticosteriods injection.
- Surgery - hip arthroplasty
- Physio and OT
Pelvic Compression Test
Tests the irritability by compressing the pelvis while the patient is in prone. Sacroiliac pain will be lateral to the inflamated joint.
What is the Fabere Test?
Leg is flexed, abducted and externally rotated.
If pain occurs at anteriorly on the same side of the body = hip joint diorder.
If pain occurs posterioirly on the opposite side of the body= sacroiliac joint disorder.
If pain results anywhere, then it is a positive patrick’s test.
What is the Gaenslen Test?
Stresses the sacroiliac joint. Increased pain during this test coud indicate joint disease.
Positive test is when pain occurs at LBP.
What is the main of therapy in AS?
relieve pain
Maintian mobility
prevent and correct deformity
maintain and imrove physical endurance
