How to control ankylosing spondylitis

Written by Yang Ya Meng

Rheumatology

Updated on February 04, 2025

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The treatment of ankylosing spondylitis mainly consists of three parts: The first part is the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as sustained-release diclofenac sodium tablets; the second is the choice of disease control medications, which may include sulfasalazine or methotrexate tablets, especially for patients with peripheral joint pain, immunosuppressive drugs can be chosen. The most effective for ankylosing spondylitis are biologics, but before using biologics, it is necessary to exclude hepatitis, tuberculosis, and cancerous diseases, and the cost of biologics is relatively high. (Please use medications under the guidance of a professional physician and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Li Jing

Rheumatology

53sec

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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.

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Written by Li Jing

Rheumatology

55sec

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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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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 4sec

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Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis

The main symptom of ankylosing spondylitis is pain, characterized by pain in the lower back and lumbar region. The pain occurs during rest and diminishes with activity; it is especially severe at night, often waking the sufferer, who then finds mild activity alleviates the pain enough to return to sleep. As the disease progresses, chest pain and restricted rib cage movement begin, due to the disease spreading to the thoracic vertebrae and eventually reaching the cervical vertebrae in later stages, resulting in difficulty moving the neck. Early physical signs include tenderness in the sacroiliac joints and paraspinal muscles. X-rays can reveal that the sacroiliac joints are often the first to be affected, usually showing sacroiliitis. Additionally, there is a particularly high positivity rate for HLA-B27, the human leukocyte antigen B27, which can reach up to 90%, whereas it is typically around 4%-9% in the general population.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 11sec

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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 Li Jing

Rheumatology

55sec

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Ankylosing Spondylitis Exercise Methods

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.