Q. I have ankylosing spondylitis and my back has fused in a stooped position. Is there anything that can be done to straighten it at this point?
A. With longstanding ankylosing spondylitis, a spine can fuse in a severely stooped position, making it impossible for you to stand erect or look straight ahead. If you suffer from this type of ankylosing spondylitis, surgery may help straighten your spine, but the procedure is not easy and doesn't work for everyone.
If you'd like to check into it, I would recommend you see an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in correcting spinal deformities and have him evaluate you.
If the majority of the deformity is in the upper spine, removing bone from the base of the neck and fusing the neighboring vertebra can make it possible to hold your head straight and look ahead, instead of down at your feet. If most of the deformity is in the lower spine, a similar procedure performed just above waist level may help. In some cases of ankylosing spondylitis, spine corrections are done at both levels.
The operation should be performed in a major spinal center by a surgeon who is highly specialized in correcting spinal deformity. The surgeon should be qualified in both education and experience. Complications of ankylosing spondylitis surgery can include slow or incomplete healing at the site of the fusion and, in rare cases, loss of sensation or weakness in the limbs. The success rate of the procedure is fairly high – about 80 percent.
For the best chance of success, it is essential that you find a surgeon qualified to perform ankylosing spondylitis surgery.
Jeffrey T. Nugent, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon
Can My Spine Be Straightened?
|
Betsy Johnson
12 Jan 2010, 05:14
|
| My son was diagnosed with AS at age 21 he is now 36. He had suffered pain in his back for a while then someone sent him to a rhumatologist who diagnosed him, he is in a stuped over position now with many other problems, High blood pressure, monitored diabetes, no shots yet but his sugar levels are very high, high cholestral, i don't understand what is happening to him he goes to the gym 5 days a week to keep what mobility he can his AS has attacked his eyes and is nearly blind in one and blurred vision in the other. He has been taking Remicaide infusion theraphy now for about 5 years. It really does help bfore it he coud hardly walk as his legs wouldn't hold him up. I know he is in the later stages but whatever help someone can provide I will listen |
|
valerie
29 Oct 2009, 11:13
|
| is as hereditary |
|
Steven R. Cieslewicz
24 Sep 2009, 14:02
|
| I've had AS since I was 21, I am 58 now. This is what happen to me, I was going to the VA they wanted a urine sample. Then I got an appointment to go for another urine test,The head doctor ask me do I use street drugs and the test came back that I had heroin in my system,I was mad as hell he almost called me a drug addict. I went to a pain doctor an he asked if I had eaten anything with poppyseeds in them and I said yes. I had a poppyseed bagle on or around the test, he said it happen to him when someone took some drugs off a table in the operating room, so they made everybody give urine sample an they all came back positive then they remembered a drug salesman gave out poppyseed bagles that morning. So if you are going to have a urine test don't eat anything with poppyseeds. Because of the I get my pain meds from the pain doctor and not from the VA.' |
|
julie warren
04 Sep 2009, 08:13
|
| i have had AS for 10 years now i have tried every tablet and every remedy going to get the pain under control untill a doctor gave me meloxican and solphodol pain killers im now able to do things for my self instead of asking other people for help i find if i sit for a while my body goes in to spasm and i can not move so i try to keep on the move i hope this message is of some help to others |
|
babsi
03 Jul 2009, 14:34
|
| He got kickt out because of Drugs |
|
Pedro
19 May 2009, 10:56
|
| I have been diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, Spinal Stenosis, and
Osteoarthritis as well. The only help I have been able to receive is
prescriptions for pain (Oxycodone, and Tramadol.) My question is the
following: With so many advances in modern medicine such as cloning, stem cell treatments etc., why is it that there is no reliable treatment and or cure for A.S.? |
|
Dale DArconte
19 May 2009, 09:29
|
| Came up possitive on HBL27 test in 97.Been disable since than from the military.After all these years now some doctors say I dont have it.Possitive is possitive and pain is pain and I still live w/this pain everyday.Have been taking so many meds from the Va that now it has distroyed my stomach and now I live w/constant pain in there also.Now they say I have Ibs and reiters.Inflamitions leves high.Is this all fron the AS? Doctors at VA dont know anything and this is really getting to me!!!! |
|
Sharon Peterson
18 May 2009, 09:33
|
| I have Ankylosing Spondylitis and need to find a Doctor in the OKC,Oklahoma area can you help me and yes I have been told by a Doctor that I have AS. I was taking Enbrel inj.once a week but our insurance quit paying for it. And my husband makes just enough to get any help from anyone!! So I am in sooo much pain now. Can you help me? I really need a Arthritis Doctor to help me. Thank You, Sharon Peterson |
|
op nigam
23 Mar 2009, 11:14
|
| waist pained and unconciousness while lie down on the bed or getup from the bed. what is the dieses and what are the remedies. |
