Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory form of arthritis that affects the spine. In its advanced stage, the condition is known as ankylosing spondylitis bamboo spine, characterized by a radiographic image of the spine resembling a bamboo stalk. This resemblance occurs due to chronic inflammation, which leads to fusion of the vertebrae and creates a rigid spinal structure. Individuals with AS often develop a hunched back and have spines that are vulnerable to fractures and injuries due to increased fragility.
How the Spine Changes in Ankylosing Spondylitis Bamboo Spine
Inflammation and Self Healing:
The initial stage of AS is inflammation, commonly found in the sacroiliac joints. Inflammation in these joints leads to bone erosion, which the body attempts to repair by creating new bone tissue. This process includes depositing calcium around the joints and ligaments.
Fusion and Bamboo Spine:
The formation of new bone and calcium deposits gradually bridges the spaces between vertebrae, a process known as ankylosis. Continued deposition along the spine makes the spine increasingly rigid and bamboo-like, which is evident in X-ray images.
Complications of a Bamboo Spine
Inflexible Spine
Rigidity of the spine is the primary result of an ankylosing spondylitis bamboo spine. The spine becomes extremely rigid without any flexibility. This leads to limited spine mobility and hampers the quality of life.
Postural Incorrection
Our spine has a natural curve, most notably in the cervical part as well as in the lumbar region. The rigidity of the spine alters the natural curve of the spine, making it rigid and flat. As a result, the person with AS gets a hunched back posture.
Fragile Spine
The rigidity of the spine causes it to be fragile. As a result of this fragility, the spinal bones become weak and brittle. This makes the spine vulnerable to spinal fractures and injuries from the slightest of trauma.
Affects the Ribs
The condition of ankylosing spondylitis bamboo spine also affects the ribs causing difficulties in the breathing process. This affects the overall quality of life as it is potentially harmful for the patient.
Diagnosis of AS Bamboo Spine
The diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis bamboo spine is mainly through two ways.
Through X-rays:
As the bamboo spine is the radiographic referral of X-ray images showing a rigid structure of the spine, its diagnosis is mainly through X-rays. This way of diagnosis is also called Axial spondyloarthritis.
Through Blood Tests and Other Ways :
As the bamboo spine is a later stage condition of ankylosing spondylitis, unless the fusion of the spine vertebrae has not occurred, the diagnosis of AS is mainly through blood tests, physical examinations, and symptoms analysis. This type of diagnosis is called Non-radiographic spondyloarthritis.
Symptoms of AS Bamboo Spine
The symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis bamboo spine includes moderate to severe back pain, stiffness in the lower back, especially in the morning and after hours of inactivity. Other symptoms include stiffness in the hip and shoulder joints. Inflammation in the hip joints and knees.
Causes of AS Bamboo Spine
The causes of developing AS Bamboo Spine are not specific. However, a major factor contributing to a person's development of AS can be attributed to the presence of the HLA-B27 gene. Although people who have the HLA B27 gene do not necessarily have Ankylosing spondylitis, a person with AS is most likely to have the HLA B27 gene.
Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis Bamboo Spine
Medications and Physical Therapy
The treatments include a combination of anti-inflammatory drugs, DMARDs, muscle relaxants, and physical therapy. Most of the cases of AS are treated through conservative methods with special care to pain management and mobility improvement. Physiotherapy is the most effective way of combating AS. Other therapies can be added as complementary therapies.
Surgical Method
In extreme cases of widespread bamboo spine surgery is considered. In surgical methods, hip replacement surgery and correctional surgery are considered for pressure reduction on the spinal cord and root nerves through a laminectomy. Spinal osteotomy is also done for better stability and mobility enhancement.
Conclusion
AS Bamboo Spine is a later stage condition of Ankylosing Spondylitis, where the vertebrae of the spine fuse together, making the spine stiff and look like bamboo in the x-ray images. Unfortunately, once the spine turns fused and rigid, it cannot be reversed. However, early diagnosis and proper treatment can help reduce the progression of AS. Medications and Physical Therapy can also help in better mobility and pain management. Ultimately, a person with widespread bamboo spine can take the help of surgical measures to enhance the quality of life as well as to mitigate the progress of the disease.
Read more Sacroilitis Treatment: Effective Ways To Manage Pain And Inflammation
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