Spine surgeon reveals simple yet effective ways to better manage Ankylosing Spondylitis symptoms

Spondylitis is one of the painful health issues that impacts everyday lifestyle. Here are some tips that can help you manage it effectively.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory arthritis that specifically affects the spine and the sacroiliac joint, causing prolonged inflammation, pain, and stiffness leading to a progressive loss of movement when inadequately managed. With between 0.1 and 0.5 percent of the Indian population affected by forms of spondyloarthritis, the call for adequate patient education and proper management is growing in the rheumatology community and that of spine surgeons. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Shrikant Dalal, Robotic, endoscopic, and minimally invasive spine surgeon at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, shared tips on managing the same.

Management tips for Ankylosing Spondylitis. (Unsplash)

What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Dr Shrikant said, “Ankylosing Spondylitis is more than a rheumatological problem, but a progressive spinal condition that can eventually cause spinal fusion, deformities, and even fractures if inadequately managed over many years.” All spine surgeons should therefore play a critical role in the lives of AS patients.

Ankylosing Spondylitis is more than a rheumatological problem, but a progressive spinal condition.

Key management tips for Ankylosing Spondylitis

Dr Shrikant recommends adhering to a daily regimen of stretching and physiotherapy exercises, especially spinal extension and breathing exercises, to maintain proper posture and lung expansion.

Physical activity

According to Dr Dalal, engage in low-impact physical activities like swimming, yoga, and walking to relieve stiffness and increase functional ability without aggravating the affected joints.

Take prescribed medicines

Obey your rheumatologist’s prescribed drug therapy, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, or biological agents such as TNF inhibitors and IL-17 inhibitors, depending on the severity of your condition.

Engage in low-impact physical activities like swimming, yoga, and walking to relieve stiffness.

Visit your doctor

Visit a spine expert if you experience neurological complications or severe spine deformity. Today, minimally invasive surgery is available for advanced cases of AS.

Take care of other issues

Dr Dalal advises taking care of associated disorders because uveitis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease often accompany AS and need specialist intervention.

Take breaks

Sitting for a long duration is not good for anyone, especially for people with spondylitis. Dr Dalal said, “Do not sit for long hours; schedule regular breaks every 30-45 minutes during your office hours to avoid stiffness.”

Sleep properly

Achieve healthy sleeping positions by resting on a firm bed, lying supine, and using minimal pillows to avoid spinal curvature deformity.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.