Axial Spondyloarthritis

Overview

Axial spondyloarthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that mainly affects the spine, including the sacroiliac joints where the pelvis meets the lower back. It most often begins in males in their teens or twenties and is closely linked to a gene called HLA-B27, though carrying the gene doesn't mean someone will develop the disease. Left untreated, the inflammation can cause ongoing low back pain, stiffness and fatigue, along with tendon pain or eye inflammation in some people, but with today's treatments most people go on to live full, active lives.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

• Do my X-rays or other imaging show signs of sacroiliitis, and what does that mean for my diagnosis?
• Should I be tested for the HLA-B27 gene, and how would that result change my treatment plan?
• Is physical therapy or an NSAID a reasonable place to start for me, and when would you consider a medication like methotrexate or an anti-TNF drug?
• How can I tell whether new pain or swelling, like in my heel or a tendon, is part of this disease?
• What can I do day to day to protect my spine's flexibility and posture over the long term?

Getting Care

A rheumatologist diagnoses and manages axial spondyloarthritis and can coordinate physical therapy and, when needed, advanced medications. Seek care sooner if you notice sudden eye pain or light sensitivity, since that can signal eye inflammation linked to the disease.

Source: https://rheumatology.org/patients/axial-spondyloarthritis