Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of inflammatory arthritis associated with the HLA-B27 gene. It typically causes stiffness and fusion of the spine over time. Diagnosis involves evidence of sacroiliac joint inflammation on imaging and a positive HLA-B27 test in most cases. Treatment focuses on exercises to maintain mobility, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and TNF inhibitors for severe cases. Surgery may be needed to correct spinal deformities or replace affected hips in advanced ankylosing spondylitis.

1. ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS
Dr.PONNILAVAN

2. Introduction
• Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory arthritis belonging to the
group of seronegative spondyloarthropathy.
• Two patients of ankylosing spondylitis were first described by
Strumpell (1884) in his textbook. Pierre-Marie (1888), gave detailed
description of ankylosing spondylitis.
• Therefore, it is also known by the eponym of “Marie-Strumpell”
disease

3. • Etiology unknown; association with HLA-B27.
Ankylosing spondylitis,
Reiter’s disease &
psoriatic arthritis
characteristically test negative for rheumatoid
factor; they have been grouped together as the
‘seronegative spondarthopathies’

4. Male/female ratio 3 : 1; aged 20 to 40
Most common in Northern European whites
90% HLA-B27 positive
Insidious onset of back pain (spondylitis) in a patient younger than 40
- Improves with exercise, no better with rest, night pain

5. Seronegative spondarthropathies
are closely asso. with the presence
of HLAB27 on chromosome 6;
Frequently used as a confirmatory
test in patients suspected of
having ankylosing spondylitis or
Reiter’s disease, but it should not
be regarded as a specific test
because it is positive in about 8%
of normal western Europeans.

6. Pathology
2 basic lesions:
synovitis of
diarthrodial jts &
inflammation at
the fibro-osseous
junctions of
syndesmotic jts &
tendons.
The preferential
involvement of
the insertion of
tendons &
ligaments
(the entheses) has
resulted in the
unwieldy term
enthesopathy.

7. Synovitis of SI & vertebral facet joints causes destruction of articular
cartilage and peri-articular bone.
Costovertebral joints also frequently involved, leading to diminished
respiratory excursion.
When peripheral joints are affected the same changes occur.

8. • Inflammation of the fibro-osseous junctions affects the
- Ivdp,
- SI ligaments,
- symphysis pubis,
- manubrium sterni &
- the bony insertions of large tendons.

9. Pathological changes proceed in three stages:
(1) an inflammatory reaction with cell infiltration,
granulation tissue formation and erosion of adjacent bone;
(2) replacement of the granulation tissue by fibrous tissue; &
(3) ossification of the fibrous tissue, leading to ankylosis of
the joint.

10. Ossification across the surface of the disc gives rise to small
bony bridges or syndesmophytes linking adjacent vertebral
bodies.
If many vertebrae are involved the spine may become
absolutely rigid.

11. • Axial skeleton:
• Bilateral sacroiliitis—earliest symptom
• Associated morning stiffness
• Progressive spinal flexion deformities over life
• Ascending ankyloses from thoracic to entire
• “Chin-on-chest” deformity
• Hip involvement at young age—poor prognosis
• Enthesitis: inflammation of tendon insertion

12. Examination:
Chest expansion loss:
• Circumference at fourth rib space
• Max inspiration versus max expiration
• Normally over 5 cm

13. The cardinal clinical feature is marked stiffness of the spine.

14. ■ Associated with higher risk for heterotopic ossification
- Hip hyperextension due to fixed pelvic deformity can lead to a higher
anterior dislocation rate.

15. Diagnostic criteria:
• More than 3 months of low back pain in someone
younger than age 45
• Definite x-ray or MRI sacroiliitis
The HLA-B27 test yields positive results in 90% to 95% of patients with
ankylosing spondylitis

16. • Ankylosing spondylitis is associated with HLA-B27, but the HLA-
B27test is not useful as a screening tool.
• Limitation of chest wall expansion is more specific.

17. • Radiographic changes
• Squaring of the vertebrae
• Vertical syndesmophytes
• “Bamboo spine”
• Autofusion of sacroiliac joints
• “Whiskering” of the enthesis

18. Extraskeletal issues:
• Uveitis—red, painful eye in 40%
• Colitis—5% to 10%; aortic insufficiency
• Pulmonary function tests: pulmonary restriction,
• chest excursion

19. • Pseudoarthrosis with potential for complete fracture and cord
damage from minor injury at the dorsal and lumbar spine junction.
This is also known as Anderson Lesion

20. Imaging
• X-rays
• The cardinal sign – and often the earliest – is erosion and fuzziness of
the sacroiliac joints.
• Later there may be peri-articular sclerosis, especially on the
iliac side of the joint and finally bony ankylosis.

21. Early sacroiliitis demonstrated by loss of clarity and sclerosis in the lower third of the SI joints, particularly
affecting the iliac side of the right sacroiliac joint (hip joints are normal).

22. The earliest
vertebral change
is flattening of
the normal
anterior concavity
of the vertebral
body (‘squaring’).

23. An early sign is ‘squaring’ of the lumbar vertebrae.

24. • Later, ossification of the ligaments around the intervertebral discs
produces delicate bridges (syndesmophytes) between adjacent
vertebrae.
• Bridging at several levels gives the appearance of a ‘bamboo spine’.

25. squaring lumbar and thoracic vertebrae with bridging
marginal osteophytes (“bamboo spine”)

26. Bony bridges
(syndesmophytes)
between the
vertebral bodies
convert
the spine into a
rigid column.

27. • Advanced AS with ankylosis or fusion of both the sacroiliac and hip
joints.

28. Radiological changes in sacroiliac joints
• one of the definite criteria for diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis.
• Changes in sacroiliac joints develop slowly and can be graded from 0 to 4
(Calin 1993, Dhaon 1994)as below
• 0 Unequivocally normal
• 1 Possibly normal
• 2 Definite marginal sclerosis
• 3 Definite erosion and sclerosis
• 4 Complete obliteration and ankylosis
• PA view is better compared to AP view & oblique views for assessing
radiological changes at SI joints.

30. Parasagittal cervical CT
reconstruction
demonstrating classic changes
consistent with ankylosing
spondylitis with loss of cervical
lordosis and marginal
syndesmophytes.
An oblique fracture entering
through the ossified C4-C5
disc and then extending
vertically through the
vertebral body of C4 is
identified

31. Special investigations
• The ESR and CRP are usually elevated during active phases of the
disease.
• HLA-B27 is present in 95 per cent of cases.
• Serological tests for rheumatoid factor are usually negative

32. Modified Schober’s test

34. Treatment
• consists of:
• (1) general measures to maintain satisfactory posture and preserve
movement;
• (2) anti-inflammatory drugs to counteract pain and stiffness;
• (3) the use of TNF inhibitors for severe disease; and
• (4) operations to correct deformity or restore mobility

35. General measures
• Patients are encouraged to remain active and follow their normal
pursuits as far as possible.
• They should be taught how to maintain satisfactory posture and
urged to perform spinal extension exercises every day.
• Swimming, dancing and gymnastics are ideal forms of recreation.
• Rest and immobilization are contraindicated because they tend to
increase the general feeling of stiffness.

36. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• It is doubtful whether these drugs prevent or retard the progress to
ankylosis, but they do control pain and counteract soft-tissue stiffness,
thus making it possible to benefit from exercise and activity.
They may have to be continued for many years.

37. TNF inhibitors
• With the introduction of the TNF inhibitors it has become possible to
treat the underlying inflammatory processes active in AS.
• This can result in significant improvement in disease activity including
remission.
• These therapies are generally reserved for individuals who have failed
to be controlled with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

38. SURGERY
• Significantly damaged hips can be treated by joint replacement, though this
seldom provides more than moderate mobility.
• Moreover, the incidence of infection is higher than usual and patients may
need prolonged rehabilitation.
• Deformity of the spine may be severe enough to warrant lumbar or cervical
osteotomy.
• These are difficult and potentially hazardous procedures; fortunately, with
improved activity and exercise programmes, they are seldom needed. If
spinal deformity is combined with hip stiffness, hip replacements
(permitting full extension) often suffice.

39. Spinal osteotomy is occasionally
performed to correct a
severe, rigid deformity.
(a) Before operation this man
could
see only a few paces ahead;
(b) after osteotomy his back is
still rigid but his posture,
function and outlook are
improved.

40. SUMMARY
• Diagnosis is easy in patients with spinal rigidity & typical deformities,
but it is often missed in those with early disease or unusual forms of
presentation.
• In over 10 per cent of cases the disease starts with an asymmetrical
inflammatory arthritis – usually of the hip, knee or ankle – and it may
be several years before back pain appears.
• Atypical onset is more common in women, who may show less
obvious changes in the sacroiliac joints.
• A history of AS in a close relative is strongly suggestive.

41. THANK U
• Miller
• Apley
• kulkarni