What department should I go to for ankylosing spondylitis?

Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
Updated on September 17, 2024
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Ankylosing spondylitis is an idiopathic systemic disease primarily characterized by chronic inflammation of the axial joints, mainly involving the sacroiliac joint. The typical onset age ranges from 10 to 14 years, and it is more common in males. It is not hereditary, but there is a familial predisposition. If there is a family history, and localized pain or discomfort is present, especially if there is difficulty turning over at night, stiffness after waking or after prolonged sitting or standing, which eases with activity, it is important to be alert. This condition falls under rheumatic immune diseases, therefore, it should be managed by a rheumatology immunology department, not orthopedics.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), where "A" stands for fusion and "S" for spine, refers to the condition where the bones and joints of the spine are fused together. Ankylosing Spondylitis is defined as a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the axial skeleton and major limb joints. It is characterized by fibrosis and ossification of the intervertebral discs’ annulus fibrosus and nearby connective tissues, as well as ankylosis (stiffening) of the joints. It presents as a sterile inflammation occurring in the spine. However, it is not solely limited to the spine as it also involves the axial bones and major limb joints. The pathological hallmark of the disease includes inflammation mainly at the sacroiliac joints and points of attachment to the spine, leading to joint stiffness and calcification of the spinal ligaments and joints. The disease progression begins at the sacroiliac joint, spreading upwards through the entirety of the spine, and eventually stops at the cervical vertebrae. Symptoms start with pain in the early stages, followed by restricted mobility in the intermediate phase, and ultimately leading to deformities of the abdomen and back, culminating in severe hunchback. The exact cause of Ankylosing Spondylitis remains unclear, with various theories proposed but none universally accepted. Additionally, it is categorized under rheumatologic and immunologic disorders.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
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Is ankylosing spondylitis serious?

Patients with ankylosing spondylitis, if treated actively in the early stages, the condition is not severe. However, if the patient continues to seek irregular and improper medical care, it is possible to develop severe complications such as kyphosis and spinal ankylosis. In severe cases, patients may even self-harm. Therefore, it is advised that patients with ankylosing spondylitis seek treatment early, before the onset of spinal ankylosis. The treatment plan mainly includes non-steroidal analgesics, such as diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, medications to control the condition, such as sulfasalazine tablets, and biologic treatments. With the above treatments, the condition of ankylosing spondylitis can be controlled. (Medication use should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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How is ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed?

Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease that cannot be cured but can be managed primarily through medication. Its main typical symptoms include stiffness in the neck or pain in the lower back, with the pain becoming more apparent when at rest or after sitting for a long time. Symptoms tend to improve with movement. A typical occurrence is pain that awakens the patient at night. Peripheral joints like the knee joint and heel can also be affected. However, the main symptoms are stiffness in the neck and pain in the lower back. Diagnosing ankylosing spondylitis requires combining symptoms with a positive B27 blood test result, and imaging tests such as CT or MRI of the sacroiliac joints, showing signs of sacroiliitis, narrowing or damage in the sacroiliac joint space, to confirm the diagnosis.

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Can people with ankylosing spondylitis work out?

Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease that cannot be cured. It can only be managed with medication to control the condition, delay the onset of joint deformities, and reduce the rate of disability. Lifestyle changes are also a part of the treatment, including quitting smoking and drinking, and avoiding carbonated beverages as they can exacerbate bone loss. Additionally, regular exercise is important, with swimming being the best option. Swimming not only exercises the limbs and improves muscle coordination but also reduces joint wear and tear, making it the ideal form of exercise. For patients who cannot swim, other forms of exercise such as walking or running are also beneficial for fitness.

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Rheumatology
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How long does ankylosing spondylitis take to cause paralysis?

Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease and a chronic condition. It primarily involves damage to the axial joints. Additionally, extrajoint manifestations can occur, such as iritis, keratitis, and corneal perforation. Currently, there is no effective cure for ankylosing spondylitis, meaning it cannot be completely cured. The treatment focuses on long-term medication management to control symptoms, delay complications, improve quality of life, and reduce disability rates. This is the main goal of treatment. Without proper treatment, deformities in the joints and spinal ankylosis can develop within a relatively short period, about seven to eight years, leading to a hunched back and significant restriction in joint mobility. Proper treatment can significantly delay joint damage. Regarding whether ankylosing spondylitis can lead to paralysis, it does not cause paralysis but does result in decreased energy and ability for activities such as turning, twisting the head, or bending, which are significantly restricted.