Ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract

If recognized early, ankylosing spondylitis may be treated more successfully than when diagnosis is delayed, and spinal deformity may be averted; However, physical findings may be normal early in the course of the disease, patients may overlook or minimize early symptoms, and in some cases signs in peripheral joints are indistinguishable from those of rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, the physician must maintain a high degree of suspicion. Definite diagnosis depends on recognizing characteristic x-ray changes, but in their absence, reliance on typical clinical features may permit tentative diagnosis and institution of therapy.