Ankylosing spondylitis - how likely is spinal fusion?
A rheumatologist has told me that he's fairly sure I have ankylosing spondylitis. We're waiting on lab work. I've been reading up on the condition and obviously spinal fusion is the hallmark of the condition. But I've also read that this doesn't happen to everyone, though I've had trouble finding out how likely it is not to happen. Being twenty and liking my spine the way it is (minus the pain), does anyone have any idea-- for my possible peace of mind?
Answers:
I'm not sure if this has ever been thoroughly researched...I will say that everyone I've ever seen with this condition had some type of deformity, but the severity ranged. Some merely had a forward head posture, and maybe a little "hunchback", but then I've also seen the the absolute worst as well. Avoiding flexed postures and promoting extension of the spine may be of benefit, but I honestly couldn't tell you what the success rate it...it's just standard of care. Yoga poses such as the cobra promote this motion...sleep with only a small pillow or a cervical roll underneath your head, opt for swimming and low impact aerobic as opposed to biking, etc...
Don't even worry your mind about it until the lab tests come back and your doctor knows for sure. My rheumatologist thought I had it but the lab work came back negative. Even if you do have A.S. is doesn't mean that YOUR spine will fuse. If you keep seeing yourself as healthy, and don't buy into the gloom and doom aspects, it can help keep you healthy.
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