Almost all people with ankylosing spondylitis can expect to lead normal and productive lives. Despite the chronic nature of the illness, only a few people with ankylosing spondylitis will become severely disabled.
It is possible to live a long life with ankylosing spondylitis. Life expectancy for people who have ankylosing spondylitis is the same as that of the general population, except for patients who have the most severe forms of the disease and for those who have complications.
There should be restriction of heavy lifting; excessive bending, twisting, or stooping; and avoidance of any work or recreational activities that cause stress to the lumbar spine. Your physician will outline a rehabilitation program to return you to your activities as soon as possible.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a permanent condition with no cure, but sufferers may be able to manage symptoms and slow the progress of the degenerative disease by seeking regular medical attention and discussing treatment options with a medical professional.
The principal symptoms that aggravate lumbar spondylosis are lifting excessive loads, particularly where the back is unprotected. Lifting large loads away from the body and also any lifting which involves a rotational movement can be especially harmful.
Lower back pain is the most common symptom of spondylolysis. It usually gets worse during exercise or other physical activity, especially those where someone leans back a lot.
While there's no cure, lifestyle changes can help with treatment. Research shows that lifestyle behaviors, such as exercising, maintaining good posture, strengthening muscles, eating healthy, practicing good sleep hygiene, managing stress, and quitting smoking if you smoke, can help slow disease progression.
Some people with AS are able to remain fully independent or minimally disabled in the long term. However, some people eventually become severely disabled as a result of the bones in their spine fusing in a fixed position and damage to other joints, such as the hips or knees.
Ankylosing Spondylitis Progression
Some people may experience mild symptoms and not much progression; others can have more serious symptoms that continue to get worse. According to the latest research, significant progression in AS may affect around 20 to 30 percent of patients.
Cervical spondylosis usually doesn't lead to disability. But sometimes these changes in the spine can cause the spinal cord or nerve roots attached to it to become compressed. This can cause your legs or hands to feel weak or clumsy.
Spondylosis is caused by wear and tear on the components of the spine. The major risk factor for developing spondylosis is age. In fact, by age 60 most people will show signs of spondylosis on X-ray.
Your doctor or rheumatologist may recommend a couple of things to slow or manage your ankylosing spondylitis (or risk of it). These include: An overall healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity and stretching. Physical therapy.
Patients typically report their first symptoms between the ages of 20 and 50 years, and more than 80% of individuals older than 40 years have radiologic (X-ray) evidence of the condition. Lumbar spondylosis is especially common in people older than 40 years.
Don't ignore neck and back pain
While you can't stop the aging process, you can take steps to manage and improve neck and back pain from spondylosis. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers when you need them, icing or heating your sore spots, and staying active are key to managing painful symptoms.
According to the Spondylitis Association of America, people typically develop AS between 17 and 45 years of age. Most people develop AS in their 20s and 30s. In a 2022 study, the average age of onset worldwide was 26.
Spondylitis is an inflammation of the spine. Spondylosis is a degenerative condition of the spine. Spondylitis can be caused by infection, arthritis, or an autoimmune disease. Spondylosis is typically caused by wear and tear on the spine over time.
Flare-ups are common in axial spondyloarthritis. What causes a flare isn't always known, but some flares might be linked to triggers like stress, weather, and diet. It might be possible to prevent a flare by managing triggers and taking medications as prescribed.
How quickly does axial spondyloarthritis progress? The progression of axial spondylitis varies from person to person. Some studies suggest progression can occur as early as two years after a diagnosis of non-radiographic axSpA, while others suggest a duration of up to 15 years.
That's because stress can exacerbate ankylosing spondylitis symptoms, including pain, according to the Spondylitis Association of America. Stress may also trigger an ankylosing spondylitis flare, a period of increased inflammation and worsening symptoms.
Lumbar spondylosis can vary, some workers can have it and work through it and not affect their ability to work full time, for others it can be severe enough that it can prevent you from working. Since lumbar spondylosis affects your spine, it could be serious enough to prevent you from doing your day-to-day job duties.
Advanced cervical spondylosis can cause both neurological decline and severe pain, leading to significant disability and impairment of activities of daily living.
Spondylolysis is a small crack between two vertebrae (the bones in your spine). Spondylolysis usually causes lower back pain. Most people don't need surgery to treat it. Rest, medication and physical therapy are most successful when started early, so visit a healthcare provider if you or your child have back pain.
If left untreated, spondylolysis can progress to spondylolisthesis, a condition in which a vertebra, weakened by fracture, slips out of alignment with the rest of the spine. The risk of spondylolysis is higher during growth spurts.