Spondyloarthropathies: Symptoms And Diagnosis
Spondyloarthropathy is a disorder related to arthritis. There are therefore several pathologies that belong to the group of spondyloarthropathies.
They all share common characteristics. Following this, in the next few lines we group them into a single group.
What are spondyloarthropathies?
As well explained in the article published in the Cubana Revista de Medicina, spondyloarthropathies are part of the group of inflammatory arthritis. In case of a seronegative diagnosis, peripheral and axial joints, enteritis and extra-articular joints are not involved.
What are the different pathologies that are part of this group? Based on another article from the aforementioned magazine, let’s talk about:
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AE) : chronic rheumatic disease.
- Psoriatic arthritis (Apso) : chronic inflammation of the peripheral joints, spine and enthesis, associated with the presence of psoriasis.
- Juvenile spondyloarthritis: like the previous one, but occurs in young people.
- Reactive Arthritis (Are) : Joint inflammation that occurs due to an infection.
- Enteropathic arthritis: associated with Crohn’s disease and inflammatory ulcerative colitis.
- Undifferentiated spondyloarthropathies. The subject has symptoms that make this condition suspect, but the diagnostic criteria do not allow it to be included in the groups listed above.
Symptomatology
After having distinguished the different existing spondyloarthropathies, let ‘s see the symptoms that characterize them. Although these are different ailments, they manifest themselves with common symptoms, which are:
- Lower back pain: this is the main warning sign.
- Pain and swelling in the arms and knees is not a very common symptom.
- Spinal fusion: This is a consequence of ankylosing spondylitis which presents with lower back pain .
In addition to those mentioned, other symptoms such as psoriasis and Crohn’s disease may occur. Seeing a doctor in the presence of any of the ailments described is important for an accurate diagnosis. If making the diagnosis is more complicated than expected, complementary examinations will be used:
- X-ray: it will be useful to see the changes within the joints. If very recent, however, they are hardly noticeable.
- Magnetic resonance: allows to detect the first signs of spondyloarthropathies that will not be visible in the X-ray.
Before proceeding with these tests, the doctor usually prescribes blood tests; in case of mutation of the HLA-B27 gene, most likely the subject has a spondyloarthropathy. However, an X-ray or MRI will be required to confirm.
What are the treatments for spondyloarthropathies ?
In the presence of spinal fusion, surgery appears to be the best option. Undoubtedly, in the other cases the situation is less serious, so we will opt for one of the following treatments:
- Exercises that promote stretching and movement of the joints.
- Medicines to relieve pain and inflammation.
- In severe cases, total or partial replacement surgery is used.
An early diagnosis of spondyloarthropathies will allow you to act in time, thus avoiding surgery. Nonetheless, it’s not always easy and we could mistakenly attribute the pain to poor posture, for example.
We invite you to consult your doctor in case of doubts and suspicious annoyances; early treatment will save you many problems.
