Spine surgeon Dr. Jamie Gottlieb is experienced in treating a wide range of conditions of the spine, from back injuries to spinal tumors. Dr. Jamie Gottlieb is based in Denton, Texas, where treats a variety of conditions with innovative procedures and technologies.
A condition of the spine that currently has no cure is ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory disease that can lead to the fusion of some of the vertebrae, reducing the flexibility of the spine and causing pain and stiffness, usually in the lower back and hips. The pain is more common to occur in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
The areas affected are usually, though not only, the joint between the spine and pelvis, the lower back, hip, and shoulder joints. While the causes of ankylosing spondylitis are not certain, it appears that genetics can have an impact as people with the HLA-B27 gene are more likely to develop the condition. Furthermore, men appear to be more at risk of developing the condition, which usually occurs between late adolescence and early adulthood.
The diagnosis can be done through an X-ray or an MRI. X-rays are only able to detect the visible signs of the condition, that are often not present in the early stages. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can detect evidence of ankylosing spondylitis also in the earlier stages.
While there is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis, there are treatments meant to help alleviate the pain and even slow down the progression of the condition. The treatment often consists of medication and physical therapy, mainly range-of-motion and stretching exercises. Surgery may only be necessary in the case of severe pain or joint damage, but it’s quite rare.
