Ankylosing Spondylitis Management
Ankylosing Spondylitis Management provides specialist rheumatology care combining physiotherapy, NSAIDs, and biologic therapy to control spinal inflammation, preserve spinal mobility, prevent progressive fusion, and maintain the highest possible quality of life.
Overview
Key Benefits
Discover the advantages of choosing our ankylosing spondylitis management services.
TNF inhibitor and IL-17 inhibitor therapy achieves BASDAI below 4 in 50 to 60% of biologic-naive patients
Continuous NSAID therapy may slow syndesmophyte formation and radiographic progression
Daily exercise preserves spinal mobility that inflammation and eventual fusion threatens to destroy
Early biologic therapy prevents the irreversible structural damage of uncontrolled inflammation
Chest expansion monitoring detects thoracic cage involvement requiring targeted respiratory physiotherapy
Clinical Features
The technology, techniques and clinical approach behind our ankylosing spondylitis management.
BASDAI above 4 triggers treatment escalation following the treat-to-target protocol
Spinal mobility measurements objectively track structural progression over years
NSAIDs prescribed continuously in active disease -- not as-needed which is insufficient for axial inflammation
Pre-biologic TB screening prevents life-threatening reactivation tuberculosis
Same-day ophthalmology referral for any red painful eye prevents vision loss from uveitis
Preparation Instructions
Exercise daily -- spinal mobility exercises are as important as medication in AS and must not be skipped. Swimming, cycling, and SpA-specific physiotherapy preserve the mobility that inflammation threatens to destroy. Take NSAIDs consistently. Contact your rheumatology team promptly for any red painful eye as uveitis requires urgent ophthalmology treatment. Stop smoking -- it significantly worsens radiographic damage in AS.
The Procedure
Step-by-step guide to what you can expect during your ankylosing spondylitis management procedure.
BASDAI and BASFI Scoring
The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Functional Index (BASFI) are completed at every appointment -- scores above 4 indicate inadequate control driving treatment escalation.
Spinal Mobility Assessment
Modified Schober test tragus-to-wall distance lateral spinal flexion and chest expansion measurements quantify mobility restriction and track improvement or deterioration over time.
NSAID Optimisation
NSAIDs are prescribed continuously rather than as-needed for active axial SpA -- maximum tolerated doses reduce both symptoms and potentially slow new bone formation.
Biologic Therapy Initiation
When BASDAI exceeds 4 despite adequate NSAID trial TNF inhibitor or IL-17 inhibitor therapy is initiated after pre-treatment TB hepatitis and HIV screening.
Physiotherapy Exercise Prescription
Spinal mobility and core strengthening exercises are prescribed at every appointment -- daily exercise is as important as medication for maintaining function in ankylosing spondylitis.
Extra-Articular Manifestation Monitoring
Uveitis psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease are screened for at every appointment. Any red painful eye requires same-day ophthalmology referral to prevent vision loss.
What to Expect
Your rheumatologist calculates BASDAI and BASFI scores, examines spinal mobility with modified Schober test and chest expansion, and reviews imaging and laboratory results. NSAID dose is optimised and biologic therapy initiated when BASDAI remains above 4 despite adequate NSAID trial. Physiotherapy prescription is reinforced at every appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ankylosing spondylitis management.
Related Services
Explore other services in our Rheumatology department.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Management
Osteoporosis Assessment and Treatment
Gout and Crystal Arthropathy
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule your consultation today and take the first step towards better health.