Ankylosing Spondylitis Early Diagnosis

Early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. Onset usually occurs in young males in their early 20’s. Many young guys ignore back pain and attribute it to soreness from athletics or lifting or some other activity. They treat it with over the counter pain medication, hoping it will go away. Because of the neglect in properly treating the back pain, the disease can progress for a number of years before a correct diagnosis is made. On average, there’s a seven to ten year delay in diagnosing ankylosing spondylitis after the onset of symptoms.

To diagnose the disease early, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) should be done in the early stages of back pain. An MRI can reveal the presence of ankylosing spondylitis long before an X-ray can, especially inflammation in the joints at the bottom of the spine.

Once the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis is made, a stretching and exercise program should be started to prevent further pain or deformity.