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Community > Expert Q & A > Ankylosing Spondylitis > Can My Spine Be Straightened?

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Can My Spine Be Straightened?

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

barbara

27 Jan 2012, 09:00

my boyfriend has AS in his neck for the last 12 years cant turn his head at all is there any new procedures that can help him.h

Saranjeet

21 Jan 2012, 22:27

Hellow Every One,
I am suffering from Ankylosing Spondolytis from past 3 years.
But from last 1 and half years there was continous pain in the hip joint and neck region.
I was using both Allopathy and ayurved medicine.
Now after so many days I am living without pain killers and Saaz DS tablets.
Doctor is sure that it will be cured but few precautions are to be taken like not eatting cold stuff and sour stuff. And also protecting your self from cold climate.
It will be my pleasure to help you . My contact no is 8108978147 if its not available then mail me at sarango333@gmail.com or add me on facebook.
May God bless all of us.

Dereck Atha

10 Jan 2012, 15:50

I am 60 y.o. with AS since the mid-sixties and have had a spinal fusion about 15 years ago, hips have been replaced several times due to aging etc. All have been very successful. I do not take any meds at all. I have no rotation of the neck. Would you recommend surgery to gain mobility of the neck?

Christy

06 Jan 2012, 22:08

Last year I saw a documentary about a man about 33 yrs old who was so bent over he looked like a shrimp. UC Medical School did a spine straightening operation and he imme-
diately gained 3 in and by 2 months later another inch - 4 in.
However it was done as a charity operation cost ($300,000).

Philip Jeffery

15 Nov 2011, 10:19

I have had AS since I was 17. It started with eyeritis and I had severe muscle spasms in my back for over ten years. I didn't know what was wrong untill I was 35. I went thru phys therapy and took sulfasalazine. I am now aflicted with AS and RA and it has affected many joints: hips, neck, ankles eyes, shoulders, etc.. I am stooped over and my entire spine except lumbar spine is frozen. The meds I take is ENBREL and 30 mgs of MORPHINE a day. I am without pain but the emotional scars will alwys be there. Its a curse but one that we can or might arrest. My next step will be surgury. I am 57 y.o. and maintaining a comfortable life.

Peter

12 Nov 2011, 07:29

The only problem with stem cell therapy and other treatments is that they look so promising, the FDA would risk going out of business. Remember, they like to manage our conditions (have us on drippers monthly) not cure us... were not much good when we're healthy.

larry

26 Jul 2011, 19:13

I was'nt diagnosed until many years of suffering in pain since 17 years of age.I was finally dianosed in 2000 at 51 . The Dr. told me nothing he could do. In 2007 another Dr. sent me to a rheumatologist. he started me on Remicade. I felt relief to where I was no longer suicidal. I am now 62 and I am considering surgery on my upper spine and neck. They are both fused and have no ability to move my head. I am having trouble finding a surgeon that is an AS specalist. I am asking for help with this. I am open for suggestions.

larrry

26 Jul 2011, 18:58

I was'nt diagnosed until years after the pain started at about 17 years of age. It was in 2000 when a Dr. told me that I have AS.I was 51 at this time ,I was told there was nothing he could do. In 2007 a Dr. sent me to a rheumatologist and he started me on Remicade infusions. I finally got some relief of pain to where I no longer felt suicidal. The pain was so intense that I had to quit my job and and file for SSD. I am fused in my upper spine and neck and can't move my head. I am 62 and considering surgery. I want to see something besides the ground. I don't know of a surgeon that AS is his specialty.

Julia Walling

16 May 2011, 14:07

My doctor told me that deficiency in vitamin D makes arthritis and its pain worse, as well as osteoporosis to be severe. I tend to be deficient in vitamin D, so he has me on 10,000 units a day and when I feel really bad I take 20,000 a day. I try to get some sun 10-15 minutes between 12 and 2 pm (UVB rays)to optimise my vitamin D levels as well. The warmth of the sun helps me feel good as well.

Julia Walling

16 May 2011, 13:59

Dale DArconte, I too have been tested for HBL27 and originally thought to be AS, but this year saw another Rheumatologist and was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis and Psoriasis. They are both connected to the same gene. The clue, my facial rash and my fingernails had tiny pits on them as well as they occasionally peel. Look it up you will be amazed what you find on it and when bad use same medication as AS and RA.

ken

05 May 2011, 17:23

I have been dealing with as for about 30 yr. was in constant pain. I was every drug out there. about 10 yr ago my md put me on SULFASALAZINE and a acid reducer and in 6 months I had little to no pain and get along fine.

Keith Feltman

07 Apr 2011, 20:04

I,was diagnos with Ankylosing Spondylitis in 2005 i was so bent i was looking at the ground when i walk.In Nov of 2006 i had my back operated on they had to break my back in two places to tried to strainted me they put rods screw in me.They did my neck in Nov of 2008 they had to break my neck to strainted my neck i got rods an screw from the base of my neck all the way down to the end of my back,sence i had my neck done it's hard to get in a car.In the past eight month's i had a lot of stiffness in my back an shouder an my knees,when i get up in the morning my back an my knees hurt once i get up an move around i feel better.When the weather is nice i walk two miles a day.My doctor had put me on Methotrexate we started with four pills once a week than six now eight 2.5mg that realy didn't help so with the Methotrexate they put me on Sulfasalazine 500mg twice a day in a couple of weeks i'll have my blood check an in another four weeks an if everything is fine with my blood work they will increase the Sulfasalazie to four pills a day.I hope that it will help with pain an stiffness.My back doctor that stratinted my spine is Dr.Place of St.Louis University i would recommend him to anyone who have to have surgery on there back.I all so see a Rheumatologist through SLU. Dr.Chad Ronholm he an intern he work through Dr.Terry Moore those doctors are the ones that have me on these medicine's.If anyone has a sugestion that might help or other people with Ankylosing Spondylitis that want to talk you can call me at 636-931-4222or e-mail me at keithfeltman@yahoo.com

Shari R.

05 Apr 2011, 21:54

I was diagnosed with AS when I was about 30.The first several years were the absolute worst! My neck is pretty much fused, and have the bent over look, which I HATE!! I have a rheumatologist who I see about every 5 to 6 mths. My saving grace was getting the enbrel shot , after living in constant pain for over 20 years, I no longer have any pain.This has been a blessing for me ,big time!! I am able to do everything that my freedom of motion allows me to do with no pain. I was so very thankful my rheumatologist introduced me to enbrel.I know its VERY expensive, Im glad I have health insurance, but they also have programs to help offset the cost of this drug. Be sure to ask about it if you decide to get the enbrel shot. It has been a miracle for me, to no longer be in any type of pain.

ray stewart

27 Feb 2011, 16:59

i took a.s when i became 40 and worked until pain became intolerable have tried all sorts of medication nome have worked as yet i was always an outgoing and athletic person but now it is a case of getting up in the morning and hope it was better than yesterday i have always been very optimistic and hope that in the near future a cure or releif will be availlable so doufnt give up hope in belfast where i live a.s is very rare so when you come across another sufferer it can be a very encouraging and helpful meeting.

William Price

25 Dec 2010, 20:22

I began showing symptoms of AS when I was 15 years old. I was an athletic male and began limping as I came off the baseball field. At the age of 17 Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN informed my parents I had rheumatoid spondylitis. I battled for years. By the time I was 24, after 7 years of intense unmanageable pain, my hips, spine, and neck were completely fused. I could ambulate only with the aid of crutches, always in a half standing and half sitting position. At the age of 35 I had bi-lateral hip replacements. What a new lease on life. Then at age 55 and 56, I had both revised. I have little pain, but much discomfort in my neck. I walk with a cane and now at 64 years of age I have difficulty looking forward. I am now contemplating lumbar and perhaps later cervical surgery to improve my posture and ability to look forward. I have led a complete life and made decisions for surgery only when my quality of life seemed to ebb.

Vinod Jeremy Henry

06 Dec 2010, 14:29

I've been having AS since I was 21,I am 30 now. I wasn't diagnosed correctly during the initial stages and when I came to know about my disease it was too late then. My neck was totally fixed and most of the joints were fully or partially fixed. My condition started to deteriorate day by day and an year before my hips were almost 90% fixed and I needed a help of an elbow crutches to walk. Finally I was left with no other options other than a Total Hip Replacement. It's been 3 months since I've had a Bilateral Hip replacement surgery done and now I am far better than before. Even though I still have my neck and some parts of my spine fixed I can atleast do atleast 60 to 70% of what a normal person can do. I am sure that in an year or two with the help of stem cell therapy there would be a total solution for AS..

TONY

22 Nov 2010, 12:16

REMICADE/ENBREL/HUMIRA
THEY ALL CAN CAUSE CANCER. I WAS ON REMICADE FOR YEARS AND THEN I GOT LYMPHOMA CANCER AND THAT IS ONE OF THE SIDE OF EFFECTS OF THESE MEDICATIONS. MAKE SURE YOU ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.

Landon

13 Oct 2010, 11:42

I was diagnosed with AS in 2006, we tried a year of treating it with pain killers and that only resulted in a lot of stomach problems. Almost all opiate analgesics are a blend of xx-codeine and an analgesics like Acetaminophen. The Acetaminophen tears up your stomach, causing ulcers, Acid reflux, etc. And the opiate plugs you up causing problems with your bladder and colon. It's torture and these drugs really do not to well with this type of pain. After a year of this, I talked with my rheumatologist and we moved to a shot called Embrel, and it's sister Humara. If you can, get on these guys! They take 80 to 90% of the pain away! It gets it down to a level that I can manage it with a single Celebrex a day. Don't try to treat this with pain killers, all that will happen is now, you are in a lot of pain, and your digestive track is shot as well.

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.

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Can My Spine Be Straightened?

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