Ankylosing Spondylitis: Treatment in the Best Clinics
Best hospitals and doctors for ankylosing spondylitis (cervical spondylosis) treatment abroad
Leading hospitals
Cost for treatment
University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich
Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology
University Hospital Ulm
Department of Hematology, Oncology, Palliative Care, Rheumatology and Infectology
University Hospital Heidelberg
Department of Hematology, Oncology, Adult and Pediatric Rheumatology
University Hospital Frankfurt am Main
Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology, Rheumatology and Infectology
University Hospital Jena
Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Osteology and Endocrinology
University Hospital Würzburg
Department of Gastroenterology, Hematology, Oncology, Hepatology, Infectology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology
University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf
Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Kidney Transplantation
University Hospital Bonn
Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immunoncology
University Hospital Halle (Saale)
Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Diabetology
University Hospital Marburg UKGM
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology
Charite University Hospital Berlin
Department of Infectology and Rheumatology
University Hospital Muenster
Department of General Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Hypertensiology and Rheumatology
University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden
Department of Rheumatology
HELIOS University Hospital Wuppertal
Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology
University Hospital Saarland Homburg
Department of Oncology, Hematology, Bone Marrow Transplant and Rheumatology
Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease, also known as the Bekhterev's disease. It mainly affects the spine and surrounding tissues. Other typical target of the disease is the sacroiliac joints. Bekhterev's disease causes inflammation that leads to arthritis and eventual joint immobility.
Usually the disease reveals itself between the ages of 15 and 35. It is more typical for men, ratio between male and female patients varies from 3:1 to 8:1. In addition, women usually have milder disease course.
Causes for ankylosing spondylitis are mostly genetic, as it can be passed from one generation to another. Bekhterev's disease has dominant inheritance, so all patient’s children will have the same condition.
Symptoms of Bekhterev's disease develop gradually, during several months or even years. They also can be unstable, getting better or worse without any treatment. Main complaints include:
- Constant pain in the back and pelvis
- Stiffness in the spinal column
- Inability to move freely
- Fatigue
- Blood tests reveal non-specific signs of inflammation.
- Visualizing examinations – ultrasound, X-ray, MRI – give more precise information about state of spine and sacroiliac joints and determine the stage of ankylosing spondylitis.
- Genetic testing for the HLA-B27 gene can also confirm the diagnosis. Nevertheless, people with HLA-B27 gene can never suffer from Bekhterev's disease, being just a symptom-free carrier.
- Medication is used to reduce pain in spine and joints. In addition to painkillers, doctors use anti-TNF medications. Anti-TNF drugs block effects of tumour necrosis factor and thus reduce inflammation in joints.
- Dorsal fixation or osteosynthesis in patients with neck fracture is a procedure, during which the cervical vertebrae are fixed to prevent spinal cord damage.
- Neck angle correction is used to correct the curvature of this angle in case it was damaged by this disease. The neck spurs can also be removed during this procedure.
- Lumbar angle correction also corrects the angle if lumbar region changed. This makes spine more flexible.
- Joint replacement (sacroiliac joints) can be performed if the pain is too severe and there is no other option.
- Physical therapy brings beneficial results and has no side effects. Of course, the exercises must be moderate and individually selected. The most effective ones are jogging and aerobic therapy, which can be done in groups with a specially trained professional or at home. Thermotherapy can also help reduce symptoms. This treatment for ankylosing spondylitis is usually applied additionally to other treatment options.
Authors: Dr. Vadim Zhiliuk, Dr. Sergey Pashchenko