What injections are used for ankylosing spondylitis?

Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
Updated on September 18, 2024
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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 Sun Shu Jian
Orthopedics
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Early symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis

The initial symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis mainly manifest as morning stiffness in the back. Then, there appears to be pain in the back and hip joints. The pain is generally more noticeable at night, and patients often wake up at night due to back pain. Pain can be significantly relieved after light activity. Early ankylosing spondylitis generally does not have characteristic clinical manifestations. A definitive diagnosis requires physical examinations, imaging studies, and blood tests. After confirming the diagnosis, timely and standard treatment is needed. Treatment can control the inflammation and pain of the synovium, prevent the further development of the disease, and prevent deformities of the spine and joints.

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Written by Li Jing
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.

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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What department should I go to for ankylosing spondylitis?

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 Yang Ya Meng
Rheumatology
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What is the ESR level in ankylosing spondylitis?

Patients with ankylosing spondylitis, if not well controlled, can exhibit elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR). An ESR higher than 20 mm per hour indicates elevation, suggesting poor disease control. At such times, it is necessary to utilize non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as sustained-release diclofenac sodium tablets. Additionally, medications that control the condition should also be used, like sulfasalazine tablets and thalidomide, among others. While biological agents, commonly tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists, offer the best treatment effectiveness, they are also the most expensive. (The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Li Jing
Rheumatology
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Does ankylosing spondylitis have a genetic component?

Firstly, ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic disease that primarily affects the axial joints, and this disease is incurable. It can only be managed with medications to control the progression of the disease, delay the appearance of joint deformities, and reduce disability. This is the main purpose of its treatment. The cause of the disease is also unclear, and it is somewhat related to genetics. If parents have it, the incidence in their children is significantly increased, and there is a phenomenon of familial aggregation. It cannot be considered a hereditary disease, but there is indeed a phenomenon of familial aggregation. Moreover, the incidence of the disease in children is much higher than in families without a history of the disease.