Ankylosing Spondylitis Exercise Methods

Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
Updated on September 09, 2024
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Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the axial joints and currently has no curative treatment. Its treatment includes general measures, medication, and surgery. General measures mainly involve abstaining from alcohol, quitting smoking, avoiding carbonated drinks and coffee, which can lead to osteoporosis. In addition, it is important to focus on exercise; functional exercises are a crucial part of its treatment. Regular activities such as swimming, walking, and running are recommended, and chest-expanding exercises can improve muscle rigidity. Moreover, it is advisable to sleep on a hard bed to keep the spine level. Swimming is the best form of exercise for patients with ankylosing spondylitis as it does not overload the joints while also enhancing the coordination and flexibility of the limb muscles.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
1min 6sec home-news-image

Does ankylosing spondylitis cause buttock pain?

Ankylosing spondylitis may cause buttock pain. It primarily affects the axial joints, and can be accompanied by extrarticular manifestations. This condition leads to stiffening and deformity of the spine, and it cannot be cured, only managed with medication to slow the progression of the disease, delay joint deformity, improve quality of life, and reduce disability rates. Its clinical manifestations vary widely, and its onset is often insidious. Men are more commonly affected and tend to experience more severe symptoms. The most common symptoms include stiffness in the neck or pain in the lumbar and back areas. However, some people may experience pain in the lower back, accompanied by morning stiffness, or alternating pain in the buttocks, or radiating pain from the groin to the lower limbs. This pain is often worse at night or after prolonged sitting, but symptoms can lessen after activity.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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What injections are used for ankylosing spondylitis?

Firstly, ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease primarily characterized by the destruction of axial joints, a chronic condition that can also manifest peripheral joint lesions. Currently, there are no definitive cures, meaning long-term medication is necessary to alleviate symptoms, control disease progression, delay joint deformity, reduce disability, and improve quality of life. This constitutes the overall goal of treatment. The preferred treatments are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and biologic agents. However, before using biologic agents, it is essential to complete routine blood tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, screenings for infectious diseases, and tuberculosis. After excluding infections, tuberculosis, and tumors, biologic agents can be administered. During the use of biologic agents, there is a risk of reduced immunity, making it easy to contract infections. Therefore, it is important to avoid getting cold, overwork, and to regularly recheck routine blood parameters, liver, and kidney functions.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min 11sec home-news-image

Can ankylosing spondylitis be cured?

Based on the current situation, it is very difficult to cure ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic disease primarily affecting the spine. It mainly involves the sacroiliac joints and spine, eventually causing spinal stiffness and restricted movement. Additionally, it can cause varying degrees of damage to multiple organs such as the eyes, lungs, cardiovascular system, and kidneys. Ankylosing spondylitis is commonly referred to as AS, where 'A' stands for fusion and 'S' for spine, hence the term means spinal fusion. Currently, the cause of the disease is unknown, and there are no specific clinical treatments. The basic treatment principle involves alleviating pain, preventing spinal deformities, and strengthening the back muscles. Typically, conservative treatment is used during the early or middle stages, while surgical correction may be considered in the later stages when significant spinal deformities occur. Generally, ankylosing spondylitis is very difficult to cure.

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Written by Sun Shu Jian
Orthopedics
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Early symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis

The early symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis mainly include insidious onset of pain and discomfort in the back and hip joints. The pain is often intermittent and worse at night. Patients frequently wake up at night due to back pain, which can be alleviated by slight movement. Therefore, when patients experience unexplained back and hip joint pain, it is necessary to determine whether ankylosing spondylitis could be a possibility. In the early stages, a sacroiliac joint CT scan and hematological examination can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Once diagnosed, prompt standardized treatment is necessary. Generally, this can control synovial inflammation and pain, prevent deformities of the spine and joints, and help patients return to normal life and work.

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Written by Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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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.)