Although there is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis, available treatments help to reduce symptoms.
Before surgical treatments are discussed, patients with ankylosing spondylitis are typically prescribed certain medications, which may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologics. These medications help reduce the inflammation and, therefore, help to reduce pain.
The surgeon will recommend strengthening exercises and range of motion exercise as well as a healthy diet.
Surgery may be necessary, especially to repair the fractures that may be caused by ankylosing spondylitis. If these fractures have begun to press on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves, surgery to decompress the spinal cord may be necessary. In these cases, the surgeon may perform a laminectomy to remove the lamina, which is the bone that covers the spinal canal. Removing the lamina makes room for the spinal cord and allows the spinal cord to function properly.
In some situations, the surgeon may perform a spinal fusion to ensure the spinal column is stable after surgery. During a spinal fusion, the surgeon may place a bone graft in the open space and allow the bones to fuse (grow together). Spinal instrumentation with metal rods and screws may be used to provide immediate stability to the spine to allow more rapid healing of the bone fusion. This enables the patient to be mobile and more independent right after surgery.
In rare cases, the surgeon may select to perform an osteotomy, which is performed to straighten the spine that has moved into a forward curvature position.
|