About This Blog:
- Data from a national analysis recently found cervical spinal fractures are linked to a higher mortality risk among patients hospitalized with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
- Ankylosing spondylitis, also called Bechterew’s disease, is inflammatory arthritis that develops within the joints of the spine.
- In this blog, Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine explains the results of this U.S. sample, and why it’s important to seek treatment for AS early.
As mentioned previously, ankylosing spondylitis is inflammatory arthritis that affects spinal joints, most commonly the sacroiliac joints. This condition usually begins in early adulthood and causes reduced flexibility, followed by pain in the neck, back, and hips. The reason for this being, spinal vertebrae tend to fuse together in patients with AS. Other symptoms can arise such as blurred vision, sensitivity to light, limited spine mobility, stiffness, fatigue, and a hunched back.
Treatment for this condition may begin with medication and physical therapy to help improve a patient’s flexibility and slow the progression of the disease. There is no cure for AS, however, so over time, the condition will worsen. Nevertheless, there are a number of effective treatments available to help decrease pain and ease other symptoms.
Similar to other arthritic conditions, there is no known cause of AS. Still, researchers believe a gene called HLA-B27 may increase a person’s risk of developing the disease. Other risk factors include a person’s gender and their age. Men are far more susceptible to developing AS than women, and the condition typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Should the condition become particularly severe, surgery may be considered to replace damaged joints in the spine. This could significantly reduce pain and increase a patient’s spinal range of motion. Regardless of how treatment is sought, though, it's important patients receive care for ankylosing spondylitis as soon as they’re diagnosed with the condition. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and according to recent data from a national U.S. sample, AS patients hospitalized with cervical spinal fractures have a much higher mortality risk than patients who don’t have the condition.
What’s more, cervical spine fractures with spinal cord injuries had the highest risk of death from any cause in patients with this condition. More on this study can be found in Medpage Today (http://www.medpagetoday.com/Rheumatology/GeneralRheumatology/57839).
The bottom line: if you begin to experience symptoms similar to those of AS, get them checked out immediately. Starting treatment early could literally save your life.
For more information on minimally invasive spine surgery or to make an appointment with Dr. Giovanini, please call (850) 934-7545 or visit https://www.neuromicrospine.com/request-appointment.
We hope to see you soon!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.