Ankylosing spondylitis

A disabling condition
Ankylosing spondtliyis is a disabling condition affecting young patients. It begins with pain and stiffness in the lower back and can spread to involve other joints. The hips are severely affected by middle age. Crippling secondary osteoarthritis is the end result and needs a hip replacement.

Causes
It is a sero negative arthritis. Patients have HLA B27 allogene.

Treatment of hip arthritis
When hips are invloved, movement becomes difficult. The patient is bedridden. Total hip replacement, short stem hip replacement (Proxima hip) or Hip resurfacing are the options. Patients can lead a normal life afterwards.

See picture for X rays of ankylosing spondylitis. There is complete fusion. This patient underwent total hip replacements.