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Treatment Options for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Role of Surgery in Ankylosing Spondylitis
In the vast majority of cases, patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can be successfully managed with medications and physical therapy without the need for surgical intervention. Surgery may be considered as a treatment option for patients with ankylosing spondylitis who develop severe spinal deformity that limits the functional mobility of the spine and/or causes neurological deficits. Depending upon the patient's specific clinical symptoms, a variety of surgical procedures may be considered including:
- Surgical realignment of bone to correct angular deformity.
- Surgical decompression of the spinal nerve roots to alleviate pressure on the nerves and control pain.
- Spinal instrumentation and fusion may be performed to correct spinal deformity and stabilize the spinal column in AS patients with severely restriction spinal mobility
- Joint replacement surgery may be necessary for patients with AS who develop severe joint involvement of the hips. It is estimated that approximately 6% of patients with AS eventually undergo hip replacement to restore mobility and eliminate pain.
