Ankylosing Spondylitis

Question 1

What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Answer 1

Inflammatory condition affecting Axial Skeleton mainly spine and sacroiliacj joints causing progressive stiffness and pain.

Question 2

Ankylosing Spondylitis can progress to?

Answer 2

Spine and Sacroiliac joint fusion with strong link with hLA B27 gene

Question 3

Ankylosing Spondylitis symptoms

Answer 3

Pain and stiffness in lower back
Sacroiliac pain in bum
Pain and stiffness worse with rest and improves with movement
Pain worse at night and in morning
Can get Chest Pain, Dactylitis, Vertebral Fractures

Question 4

Key test for Ankylosing spondylitis

Answer 4

Schober Test for Spinal Mobility

Question 5

Investigations for Ankylosing Spondylitis

Answer 5

Inflammatory Markers
HLA B27
X Ray
MRI

Question 6

Xray changes for Ankylosing Spondylitis

Answer 6

Bamboo Spine
Squaring of Vertebral Bodies
Subchondral Sclerosis and Erosions
Ossification of Ligaments, Discs and Joints
Fusion of Facet, Sacroiliac and Costovertebral Joints

Question 7

Management of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Answer 7

NSAIDS
Anti TNF Medications
Intra articular steroid injections