$Unique_ID{BRK00923}
$Pretitle{Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue}
$Title{Arthritis of the Spinal Column}
$Subject{arthritis spondylitis spine fusion}
$Volume{M-17}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Arthritis of the Spinal Column


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QUESTION:  My son who is 37 has been diagnosed as having a type of arthritis
in which his spinal column may fuse and become one bone.  We are desperate for
information that can help him prevent this terrible disease from progressing
and robbing him of his youth.  Please help.

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ANSWER:  Without doubt you are referring to a rheumatic disorder known as
ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or sometimes referred to as Marie-Strumpell
Disease.  It is a disease that is three times more common in men than in
women, and strikes between the ages of 20 and 40 years of age.  The most
common complaint of patients with AS is stiffness, particularly in the morning
which is gradually relieved by activity.  Although the stiffness may occur in
any joint, knees, ankles, shoulders and hips, it is the back that is the
eventual target, with back pain of varying intensity occurring, frequently at
night.  The term "ankylosis" means stiffening, while "spondyl" refers to the
vertebrae and "itis" denotes inflammation.  The disease process is one of
inflammation, with the tissues around the joints of the body, particularly the
spine, become inflamed and swollen.  This creates the pain, and the patient
attempts to reduce the discomfort by keeping the joint immobile, which of
course leads to more stiffening.  As the joint attempts to heal, new bone is
formed which may eventually join one vertebra to another, but it is the
extremely rare case where the whole back bone becomes a single fused bone.
Much can be done to help your son.  To begin, the joint pain and stiffness, as
well as muscle spasm may be relieved using NSAIDS (nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs).  In addition a program of daily exercise to maintain
both correct posture and flexibility is vital.  The good news is that even in
patients who are not correctly diagnosed or treated, the condition may not
disrupt their life-style, or cause a deformity.  However, continued care, and
attention to therapy can frequently reduce this condition to occasional
episodes of back aches and spasm, without deformity or compromised posture.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
