Spondyloarthritis is an inflammatory disease that can cause the vertebrae of the lumbar region to fuse. This, in turn, can lead to the spine losing flexibility and to become hunched over. This article explains more about this disease.
Lumbar spondyloarthritis, which is also known as ankylosing spondylitis, is an inflammatory disease. Generally, it affects men more than women, and the first symptoms usually appear around the fourth decade of life.
At present, spondyloarthritis cannot be cured, but the good news is that there are treatments that can help reduce the symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Causes of lumbar spondyloarthritis
The specific cause of this inflammatory disease is unknown. There is some evidence that there may be a genetic predisposition factor. Specifically, those people who have the HLA-B27 gene, seem to have a higher risk of developing this pathology. However, not everyone with this gene will get spondyloarthritis, and it is also possible to develop the pathology without having the gene.
Main symptoms of lumbar spondyloarthritis
The first symptoms of lumbar spondyloarthritis in young people are usually stiffness or discomfort in the lower back region and hips, especially at the beginning of the day or after periods of inactivity. They may feel pain and tiredness in other parts of the body as well:
- Neck area.
- Hips and shoulders.
- The joint located between the pelvis and the base of the spine.
- The attachment sites of tendons and ligaments to bones, especially in the spine.
Symptoms are not always constant; in fact, they can improve, disappear for a time, or worsen. Our recommendation is to go to the doctor if you have lower back pain that is intense in the morning and lessens with activity or as the day progresses, and gets worse again when you rest or are inactive.
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Severe symptoms or complications
In addition to the general symptoms we have mentioned, spondyloarthritis can produce other, more severe symptoms in more advanced cases. Such as:
- New bone growth: The body can produce new bone to try to cope with the pathology. However, this new bone reduces the distance between the vertebrae and can even cause them to fuse together. When this happens, the affected area becomes stiff and loses mobility.
- Vertebral fractures: the bones can weaken, so the risk of fracture increases, especially if the patient's spine becomes hunched over as a result of the pathology. These fractures can put pressure on the nerves and spinal cord, in which case surgery may be needed.
- Eye inflammation: Known as uveitis, this is one of the most frequent complications of this pathology. It can cause pain in the eyes, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. When these symptoms show up, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
- Problems in the aorta: Spondyloarthritis increases the risk of heart disease in general and, in addition, can affect the aorta, causing it to become inflamed, and altering cardiac function.
Treatment options for lumbar spondyloarthritis
The treatments available for this pathology are intended to reduce pain and stiffness, and to help prevent the other possible complications mentioned above. Treatment will be most effective if the disease is detected at an early stage.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as naproxen and ibuprofen are usually prescribed, as they have been shown to relieve inflammation, pain, and stiffness. However, these medications can also cause gastrointestinal damage, so your doctor may recommend other medication options.
In addition to medication, specialized physical therapy is recommended to reduce pain and improve the physical condition of the patient by increasing their and flexibility.
At Instituto Clavel Rehabilitation we can help you with manual and active therapies. Our professionals design a specific plan according to the needs of the patient, including postural re-education, improving mobility, stretches for back pain and exercises to strengthen the core muscles. All this will improve the symptoms and, in addition, will help prevent complications.
You can find more information about our therapies here
Lastly, although it is rare, when conservative treatment does not work and a vertebra or hip has been damaged, surgery may be needed to repair the damaged joint.
Categories: Spine treatments, Spine pathologies, Instituto Clavel