What is Ankylosing Spondylitis? Ankylosing spondylitis is a disease which causes inflammation and pain in the spine and other joints such as the shoulder, hips, knees, ankles and the between your sternum and ribs. Ankylosing spondylitis affects up to 2% of Australians and is about three times more common in men than women. It commonly presents in the late teenage years or 20s, although can start as late as 45 years old. The word spondylitis refers to inflammation of the spine; ankylosis means fusion or the melding of two bones into one. If ankylosing spondylitis is not managed well, it can lead to permanent stiffening of the spine. New bone can grow around the spine, which results in the bones fusing together and limits movement. It also results in a characteristic stooped posture. What Causes Ankylosing Spondylitis? The cause of ankylosing spondylitis is unknown, although appears to have a strong genetic link. This is particularly the case in people who carry what is known as the HLA-B27 gene. Recently, two new genes (IL23R and ARTS1) have also been found to be associated with ankylosing spondylitis but the medical community is not yet sure what this means for passing on the condition. Simply carrying the genes does not mean that you will definitely get ankylosing spondylitis, in fact, only one in eight carriers of the HLA-B27 gene ends up with the condition. Ankylosing spondylitis usually presents without a specific cause, which makes it different from many common back pains. It does not seem to be caused by particular jobs or movements and is usually not the result of particular injuries, infections or other medical conditions. What are the Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis? Back pain / stiffness which came on gradually. Early morning pain / stiffness which reduces with movement. Pain/stiffness improves after exercise and is worse after rest. Sleep disturbance, particularly in the second half of the night. Persistence of the above symptoms for more than 3 months. Pain relieved for a time after a shower, bath or heat treatments. Inflammation of the iris, within the eye. This may include pain in the eye or brow region, pain associated with exposure to light, blurred vision or a reddened eye. The lining of the bowel may also be affected, causing symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease such as diarrhoea and bloating. How is Ankylosing Spondylitis Diagnosed? If ankylosing spondylitis is suspected by your physiotherapist, you will be referred to your GP for further testing including blood tests and possibly imaging such as X-rays, MRI or a CT scan. Should the test results indicate possible ankylosing spondylitis, you are generally referred on to see a Rheumatologist who specialises in diagnosing the condition. What is Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment? Your GP and rheumatologist may prescribe medications to help control the inflammatory part of the disease. As well as seeing your GP or rheumatologist for check-ups, your physiotherapist plays an important role in helping you manage your ankylosing spondylitis. PHASE I - Pain Relief Your physiotherapist will use an array of treatment tools to reduce your pain and inflammation. These include: heat, electrotherapy, acupuncture, deloading taping techniques, and soft tissue massage. PHASE II - Restoring Normal ROM & Posture As your pain and inflammation settles, your physiotherapist will turn their attention to restoring your normal joint range of motion, muscle length, neural tissue mobility and resting muscle tension. Treatment may include joint mobilisation and alignment techniques, massage, muscle stretches and neurodynamic exercises, plus acupuncture, trigger point therapy or dry needling. Your physiotherapist is an expert in the techniques that will work best for you. PHASE III - Restore Normal Muscle Control & Strength Researchers have discovered the importance of your muscle recruitment patterns with a normal order of: deep, then intermediate and finally superficial muscle firing patterns in normal pain-free people. Pain has an unfortunate side effect of ‘switching off’ your deep ‘core muscles’. Your physiotherapist will assess your muscle recruitment pattern and prescribe the best exercises for you specific to your needs. PhysioWorks has developed a “Core Stabilisation Program” to assist their patients to regain normal muscle control. Please ask your physio for their advice. PHASE IV - Restoring Function and Return to Activity During this stage of your rehabilitation is aimed at returning you to your desired activities. Everyone has different demands for their bodies that will determine what specific treatment goals you need to achieve. For some it be simply to walk around the block. Others may wish to run a marathon or return to a labour-intensive activity. Your physiotherapist will tailor your rehabilitation to help you achieve your own functional goals. PHASE V - Long Term Management Ankylosing spondylitis is a condition that requires constant management. Sticking to a regular stretching plan specific to your stiffness helps to get the most out of your body. Your physiotherapist will set you up with an appropriate stretching programme, will monitor your symptoms and make any adjustments to the programme as necessary. The best advice is to keep active. Regular physical activity is one of the most effective treatments for AS. It is important to engage in a regular stretching program every day and do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week. What Results Can You Expect? Symptoms may come (flare) and go (remission) for many years. For others, the symptoms and disability may gradually worsen over time. Generally, people with AS can continue to work and perform daily activities, although certain changes may have to be made to allow a variety of positions and movements throughout the day. Physiotherapy helps to provide pain relief and improve stiffness. Your physiotherapist can also provide you with a personalised exercise programme to help you manage your condition. Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online Surgery Surgery is needed only if the disease has caused nerve damage in the spine or if joint damage is severe. Massage Many patients find that soft tissue massage therapy is beneficial to assist your pain relief, muscle relaxation and swelling reduction. Please ask your physiotherapist if you would benefit from a massage. Acupuncture Acupuncture can be helpful in the relief of your pain. If you are interested in trying some acupuncture, many of our therapists are trained in acupuncture. Please ask for their advice. Weight-Loss Carrying excessive body weight puts extra load on your joints and muscles, which predisposes you to increased pain. General Exercise General exercises are very important to keeping your body moving. If you have a specific activity that enjoy, please ask your physiotherapist if that activity will be beneficial to your long-term health. For this particular injury, other patients have benefited from the following activities: hydrotherapy, pilates, yoga, walking, swimming, cycling, or tennis. Braces and Products Heat packs are often a wonderful way of easing away stiffness and pain associated with ankylosing spondylitis. More Advice If you have any concerns or have some specific questions regarding your condition, please ask your physiotherapist. Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online FAQs about Ankylosing Spondylitis What is Pain? Physiotherapy & Exercise What are the Different Massage Styles and their Benefits? How Does Kinesiology Tape Reduce Swelling? Glucosamine: What is it? How Does it Help Arthritis? Does the Arthritis Foundation Recommend Glucosamine? How Does Glucosamine Work? How to Stretch? Is Your Headache From Your Neck? Quick Test What are the Common Massage Therapy Techniques? What are the Early Warning Signs of an Injury? What are the Healthiest Sleeping Postures? What are the Signs of an Unsupportive Pillow? What Can You Do To Help Arthritis? What Causes Headache or Migraine? What is Chronic Pain? What is Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy? What is the Correct Way to Sit? What Pillow Do Physiotherapists Recommend? What Should You Do When You Suffer a Headache or Migraine? Why Do Your Joints Click? Why Does Heat Feel So Good? Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment Options Immediate Injury Treatment Avoid the HARM Factors Acupuncture and Dry Needling What is Sub-Acute Soft Tissue Injury Treatment? Scapular Stabilisation Exercises Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises Active Foot Posture Correction Exercises Gait Re-Education Biomechanical Analysis Balance Enhancement Exercises Proprioception & Balance Exercises Medications? Glucosamine Orthotics Soft Tissue Massage Electrotherapy & Local Modalities Heating Pads Joint Pain Relief Techniques Kinesiology Taping Neurodynamics / Neuro Mobilisation Physiotherapy Instrument Mobilisation (PIM) Strengthening Exercises Stretching Exercises Support Brace Supportive Taping & Strapping TENS Machines Related Conditions Degenerative Disc Disease Facet Joint Syndrome Fibromyalgia Foot Bunion Hand or Wrist Arthritis Hip Arthritis (Osteoarthritis) Knee Arthritis Knee Replacement Muscle Pain: Strains or Tears Neck Headache Osteoporosis Overuse Injuries Pinched Nerve Poor Hip Core Sacroiliac Joint - SIJ Pain Sciatica Shoulder Arthritis Spinal Stenosis Spondylosis (Spine Arthritis) Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online bit.ly/13oyJIP
Posted on: Fri, 07 Jun 2013 01:23:17 +0000
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