Diagnosis of this disease is through an x-ray of the spine and pelvis, although there is an antigen, HLA-B27, as warning of the possible presence of disease development.
In Spain, about 50,000 people with the disease for which there is still no definitive cure.
Among the treatments available, all aimed at relieving symptoms produced include anti-inflammatory, analgesics, sulfasalazine or methotrexate.
In severe cases, when joints are severely damaged, you get to use surgery.
In this regard devote his presentation Norberto Gomez Rodriguez, who will discuss "non-conventional treatments and Spondylitis.
The posture correction and rehabilitation are vital to this relative vacuum therapy and alternative techniques such as hydrotherapy, gain strength and have been reaffirmed by patients who have undergone them.
But counseling also plays a key role in the daily life of these patients and the intervention of the psychologist is highly useful.
In the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis play a key role gymnastics and physical therapy to maintain joint mobility and prevent gradual deforming of the spine even though the exercise may be somewhat painful for the patient concerned.
Especially recommended are extension exercises such as Yoga or Pilates.
The classical medicine uses different drugs to combat disease.
Since 2003 there is in Europe the drug Enbrel (Amgen, Etanercept, Infliximab), a preparation of the family of TNF-alpha blockers (TNF = tumor necrosis factor) that reduces inflammatory processes.
With this medicine, very expensive now, have obtained very good results, although there are still no long term studies.
Before his appearance were used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin, sulfasalazine or methotrexate for reducing pain and control the processes inflammatory.
There are also studies that mention the treatment with pamidronate, thalidomide and the radio radioactive isotope 224.
In very advanced cases there is also a surgical solution, in which the vertebrae are fractured and rigidity acquired vueltasa hold in proper position with metal plates.
This complicated operations and no little risk, but can significantly improve the quality of life for treatment of ankylosing paciente.
El and in particular ankylosing spondylitis has changed radically in recent years following the introduction of blockers of Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-*).
Both infliximab and etanercept and adalimumab significantly reduced inflammatory activity and induce changes in the histopathology of the synovium, the pattern of cytokines in peripheral blood and synovial fluid and magnetic porresonancia imagery and ultrasound.
Currently the possibility that the effect of these molecules not only reduces the relief of symptoms and signs, but also alter the natural history of these diseases.
The purpose of this review is to present the evidence which exists for the use of biological agents in ankylosing spondylitis, the form of assessment of their effectiveness, the most important results in the short and long term and leading-edge treatment recommendations.
It is rare to develop an early diagnosis because patients are slow to see a doctor to interpret that back pain is here to stay.