Ankylosing spondylitis affects about 0.1% to 0.5% of the adult population. It is chronic inflammatory joint disease that affects spine. It can occur at any age, and it most often strikes men in their teens and 20s. It is less common in women.It mainly affects joints in the spine and the sacroiliac joint in the pelvis. There is a lag time between onset of symptoms and diagnosis, which averages between 8.5 years and 11.4 years. Pain is often severe at rest, but improves with physical activity.
CAUSE: However, the exact cause of ankylosing spondylitis is not known but genetic or family history is found in such cases. Individuals carrying HLA- B27 genes are more likely to develop ankylosing spondylitis.
Signs and symptoms: Pain and stiffness in neck extending down to lower back is one of the most common symptom. It can cause fusion of the spine (vertebra) causing complete rigidity of the spine, a condition known as “bamboo spine”. These changes may be mild or severe, and may lead to a stooped-over posture. Symptoms appear gradually between 15 to 25 years of age.
It is a systemic disease i.e. symptoms may not be limited to the joints and Patient may have other symptoms like fever,fatigue, and loss of appetite. Eye inflammation(redness and pain) occurs in some people with spondylitis. In rare cases, lung and heart problems also may develop
Early diagnosis and treatment helps control pain and stiffness and may reduce or prevent significant deformity. However, many experience inflammation and pain to varying degrees regardless of rest and movement.
Ankylosing spondylitis is one of a cluster of conditions known as seronegative spondyloarthropathies, in which tests are negative .
CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT OF ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
- THERAPY: Early intervention with physical and occupational therapy is important to maintain function and minimize deformity.
- EXERCISE: Daily exercise helps reduce stiffness, strengthen the muscles around the joints and prevent or reduce the risk of disability. Deep breathing exercises may help keep the chest cage flexible. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for people with ankylosing spondylitis.
TOP HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES FOR ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS are aesculus, kalmia, nat mur, RT, argentums met. I have treated many cases of ankylosing spondylitis with aesculus and kalmia.
Aesculus is best suited for aching and soreness in limbs. There is weakness in region of spine. There is pain and stiffness of back. Symptoms get worse in morning on waking. Complaints aggravate on motion, walking, standing. While kalmia is indicated for shifting pains with numbness . It is best suited for lumbar pains of nervous origin. Natrum mur is indicated for pain in back with desire for firm support. There is painful contraction of hamstrings and cracking in joints on motion. Rhus tox helped in treating lots of patients with pain and stiffness in small of back. There is hot painful swelling of joints. Argentum helps in treating severe backache and trembling and weakness oflegs with swelling of ankles.