Ankylosing Spondylitis

Specialists at UT Southwestern Medical Center are uniquely skilled at diagnosing and addressing the complexities of care for patients with ankylosing spondylitis, a potentially debilitating form of arthritis that affects the spine.

The UT Southwestern Spine Center’s multidisciplinary team offers all available evidence-based treatments for managing this inflammatory disease.

About Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation between the vertebrae and in the joints where the spine and pelvis meet. The condition frequently runs in families and tends to be more severe and prevalent among men.

Symptoms include:

• Pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips, especially after periods of inactivity
  
• Reduced flexibility
  
• Neck pain
  
• Fatigue
  

Diagnosis and Treatments

If we suspect that a patient has ankylosing spondylitis, we’ll conduct a physical examination and order additional testing. Tests used to diagnose ankylosing spondylitis can include:

• Bone scans
  
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  
• Myelography
  
• Nerve conduction studies to measure electrical activity generated by muscles and nerves
• X-rays
  

Our specialists at the UT Southwestern Spine Center treat ankylosing spondylitis with therapies that include:

• Anti-inflammation drugs
  
• Biofeedback
  
• Cortisone injections
  
• Physical therapy
  
• Surgery
  

Research and Clinical Trials

UT Southwestern conducts clinical trials aimed at improving the treatment of spine conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis. Talk with our doctors to see if a clinical trial is available.