Ankylosing spondylitis is a disease of a young male presenting with typical complaints of stiffness in the lower back which is more noticable in he morning. This stifnness typically decreases with activity and increases with rest. The patient may also report of myalgia and multiple joint pains along with.
The disease has an auto-immune component, whereby body destroys its own self considering it an outside antigen. Typical finding is of a Sacro-illitis which is resistant to pain killers. In fulminant cases or patients presenting at a later age, there may be a fixed deformity of the spine and may also be associated with shortness of breath and inbility to perform activities of daily living. Neck and upper back stiffness is common.
An early diagnosis of the problem is imperative to control disease activity. The problem can not be completely eliminated and requires a long term treatment to take disease into remission phase. Radiologico-clinco-hematological correlation is essential to label a patient to have Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Medical treatment is the mainstay of this disease along with functional rehabilitation.
Here’s a brief illustration of exercises that should be continued as per pain tolerance by patients of ankylosing spondylitis. This rehabilitates patients to their maximum physical ability and helps them lead a normal life.
