Ankylosing Spondylitis (Spine Arthritis)
Description
A type of arthritis that affects the spine. Symptoms include pain and stiffness from the neck to the lower back. The spine's bones (vertebrae) may fuse together, resulting in a rigid spine. These changes may be mild or severe. Ankylosing spondylitis is also a systemic rheumatic disease, meaning it can affect other tissues throughout the body including the eyes, heart, lungs, and kidneys. The disorder is more common in males in the 20 to 40 year age range.
Symptoms
Neck pain, back pain, stiffness, fatigue, forward curvature of the spine, eye pain and redness, heart arrhythmias, kidney failure.
Tests
A history and physical exam will be performed. Additional blood tests and X-rays may be taken.
- CBC
- Chem 12
- UA
- X-Ray
Treatment
Treatment may include: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications/NSAIDs (ibuprofen/Motrin or Advil, naproxen/Naprosyn), acetaminophen (Tylenol), exercise, sulfasalazine, methotrexate, etanercept (Enbrel), infiximab (Remicaid), and/or adalimumab (Humira).
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