Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease and type of arthritis that primarily affects the spine and the joints that link the lower spine with the pelvis, causing pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. Over time, the inflammation can cause vertebrae to fuse together, resulting in loss of flexibility and increased risk of complications such as kyphosis – forward curvature of the spine.
AS affects about 1 in 1000 people, but despite its prevalence, it remains relatively unheard of.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease and type of arthritis that primarily affects the spine and the joints that link the lower spine with the pelvis, causing pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. Over time, the inflammation can cause vertebrae to fuse together, resulting in loss of flexibility and increased risk of complications such as kyphosis – forward curvature of the spine.
AS affects about 1 in 1000 people, but despite its prevalence, it remains relatively unheard of.
Symptoms of AS can vary widely among individuals, but common signs and symptoms include:
Symptoms of AS can vary widely among individuals, but common signs and symptoms include:
The exact cause of AS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
HLA-B27 is a common gene in people with certain types of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, and it is strongly associated with AS, although not everyone with the gene develops the condition. It is thought that environmental factors such as infections and trauma can trigger the onset of AS in susceptible individuals.
The exact cause of AS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
HLA-B27 is a common gene in people with certain types of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, and it is strongly associated with AS, although not everyone with the gene develops the condition. It is thought that environmental factors such as infections and trauma can trigger the onset of AS in susceptible individuals.
The outlook for AS is highly variable. For some people, the condition improves after an initial period of inflammation, allowing them to remain fully independent in the long run. For others it can get progressively worse over time, leading to severely restricted movement in the spine.
Some people eventually become severely disabled as a result of the bones in their spine fusing in a fixed position and damage to other joints, such as the hips or knees.
With modern treatments, AS does not usually affect life expectancy, although the condition is associated with an increased risk of other potentially life-threatening problems, such as:
The outlook for AS is highly variable. For some people, the condition improves after an initial period of inflammation, allowing them to remain fully independent in the long run. For others it can get progressively worse over time, leading to severely restricted movement in the spine.
Some people eventually become severely disabled as a result of the bones in their spine fusing in a fixed position and damage to other joints, such as the hips or knees.
With modern treatments, AS does not usually affect life expectancy, although the condition is associated with an increased risk of other potentially life-threatening problems, such as:
If you think you may have AS, the first thing you should do is talk to your GP. They will ask you what symptoms you’re experiencing, when they started, and how long you’ve had them.
The first thing they will likely do is refer you for an X-ray. A diagnosis of AS can usually be confirmed if an X-ray shows inflammation of the joints of the spine and pelvis and you have at least 1 of the following:
If an X-ray cannot confirm AS, you’ll usually be offered further tests. Your doctor may perform blood tests to check for signs of inflammation. Blood tests can also check to see if you carry the HLA-B27 gene.
If your results suggest you do have inflammation, you may be referred to a rheumatologist for further scans, such as an MRI or ultrasound.
If you think you may have AS, the first thing you should do is talk to your GP. They will ask you what symptoms you’re experiencing, when they started, and how long you’ve had them.
The first thing they will likely do is refer you for an X-ray. A diagnosis of AS can usually be confirmed if an X-ray shows inflammation of the joints of the spine and pelvis and you have at least 1 of the following:
If an X-ray cannot confirm AS, you’ll usually be offered further tests. Your doctor may perform blood tests to check for signs of inflammation. Blood tests can also check to see if you carry the HLA-B27 gene.
If your results suggest you do have inflammation, you may be referred to a rheumatologist for further scans, such as an MRI or ultrasound.
While there is currently no cure for AS, treatment is available to relieve symptoms, delay its progression and improve quality of life.
Treatment options may include:
While there is currently no cure for AS, treatment is available to relieve symptoms, delay its progression and improve quality of life.
Treatment options may include:
Low-intensity Vibration therapy with the Marodyne LiV shows great promise as a potential adjunctive therapy for AS.
Low-intensity Vibration therapy is clinically proven to promote bone formation and increase bone density. Since AS can lead to bone loss and increased fracture risk, Low-intensity Vibration therapy can help to counteract this to delay or prevent development of osteoporosis.
Chronic back pain is a hallmark symptom of AS. Vibration therapy has been suggested to have pain relieving effects by both strengthening muscles around the spine and helping the same muscles to relax. Low-intensity Vibration therapy has also been shown to improve pain and stiffness in the joints in patients with arthritis.
Click the button below to find out more about Low-intensity Vibration therapy.
Low-intensity Vibration therapy with the Marodyne LiV shows great promise as a potential adjunctive therapy for AS.
Low-intensity Vibration therapy is clinically proven to promote bone formation and increase bone density. Since AS can lead to bone loss and increased fracture risk, Low-intensity Vibration therapy can help to counteract this to delay or prevent development of osteoporosis.
Chronic back pain is a hallmark symptom of AS. Vibration therapy has been suggested to have pain relieving effects by both strengthening muscles around the spine and helping the same muscles to relax. Low-intensity Vibration therapy has also been shown to improve pain and stiffness in the joints in patients with arthritis.
Click the button below to find out more about Low-intensity Vibration therapy.
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