Treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis aims to control the pain and prevent progression of the disease.
Conventional medicines used in treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis include:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs, which include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, diclofenac, indomethacin, etc. and pain-killers like paracetamol or if necessary, codeine.
- Steroid medications do not show much benefit.
Surgery
Surgical replacement of hip may be opted for in treatment for Ankylosing Spondylitis but is very risky and complicated.
Physical therapy
Some of the steps that have been shown to benefit patients include:
- Exercise programs, both individual and group, as decided by a qualified physiotherapist.
- Physical therapy like Yoga which is more useful than high impact exercises like jogging as high impact exercises can affect the vertebrae severely and can worsen pain and stiffness in patients.
