Spondyloarthritis is a group of inflammatory disorders that primarily affect the spine, joints, and ligaments, with symptoms including back and joint pain, flaky skin, weight loss, and eye irritation. Treatment involves anti-inflammatory medications, exercise, and surgery if necessary. The condition is usually chronic and progressive, and diagnosis is made following a physical check-up, review of symptoms, and medical history. Treatment options include NSAIDs, corticosteroids, DMARDs, TNF blockers, and surgery. Exercise is an essential component of treatment.
Spondyloarthritis refers to a series of inflammatory disorders that primarily affect the spine, joints and ligaments. Sometimes, arthritis develops in other parts of the body such as in the intestines, urinary tract, heart and skin. The range of symptoms for the different types of these disorders include back and joint pain, flaky skin, weight loss, and eye irritation. Conditions can cause stiffness and make movement difficult. A course of treatment generally involves anti-inflammatory medications and an exercise regimen, with surgery as an option if problems are acute.
This group of diseases is also called seronegative spondyloarthropathies. Seronegative indicates that a blood test is negative for rheumatoid factor, an antibody found in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. The complex of disorders includes ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, enteropathic arthritis, and undifferentiated spondyloarthritis. When children develop the condition, it is called juvenile spondyloarthropathy.
There are various reasons why a person could develop one of these disorders. There is often a family history of the condition, and people with the genetic marker HLA-B27 are more likely to develop the disease. Reactive arthritis can be triggered by an intestinal or urinary tract infection.
Spondyloarthritis is usually chronic and progressive in nature. The condition often occurs in young adults in their 20s and 30s. Symptoms may manifest slightly differently depending on the form of the disease.
Ankylosing spondylitis is characterized by inflammation of the joints in the spine and the part where the spine meets the pelvis. It often causes pain and stiffness in the lower back. The discomfort may later extend to your mid-back, neck, hips, and heels. Typically, back pain tends to get worse in the morning.
Those with psoriatic arthritis develop raised patches of reddened skin and pitted, cracked nails. The disease can progress to one or more joints in the body causing pain, swelling and stiffness. Some may even suffer from conjunctivitis.
Symptoms of reactive arthritis include a burning sensation when urinating and inflammation of the eyes and mucous membranes. Afflicted people usually experience pain and swelling in the joints. Enteropathic arthritis involves inflammation of the intestines, although it can inflame the joints in the limbs, cause abdominal pain, and cause diarrhea.
Usually, spondyloarthritis is diagnosed and treated by a rheumatologist. Diagnosis is made following a physical check-up, a review of symptoms, and a review of the patient’s medical history. Your doctor may request additional tests, such as X-rays of your joints and spine, an MRI scan, and a blood test. The rheumatologist can also evaluate potential complications that could develop with the disease.
There are several treatment options that can typically help manage the specific pain and symptoms of the condition. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are most commonly recommended in the initial stages. Corticosteroids can be used for short periods. For psoriatic arthritis, a doctor might recommend a medicated skin cream. Eye drops might be suggested for patients with symptoms of eye inflammation.
In some cases, a doctor might prescribe a different class of medication. These include disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as sulfasalazine. A relatively new approach is the treatment of spondyloarthropathies with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, or TNF blockers for short. These inhibit the action of TNF-alpha, proteins that can cause inflammation in patients.
Surgery is usually only recommended if serious problems develop. It may be performed for joint replacement, for example, or it might be suggested if curvature of the spine is severely affected by the condition.
In addition to medications, there are some simple remedies that can help ease some of the discomfort. One measure is the local application of heat to relieve joint stiffness. Cold compresses can be used on areas showing swelling.
An exercise program is often an essential component of treatment. A physical therapist can prescribe exercises that can help maintain flexibility and range of motion in the joints. Regular exercise routines can strengthen the back, improve posture, and generally help people function better.
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