LUMBAR SPONDYLITIS

What is Lumbar Spondylitis?

Lumbar Spondylitis or spondylitis is a condition where there is an inflammation of the lumbar (lower vertebral) spine, popularly called as Backache. The inflammation can be mild, moderate or severe leading to a range of severity of symptoms. There is not only inflammation of the vertebra but also some amount of fusing, which gives painful stiffness.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of varying degree of pain associated with stiffness. There may be restricted mobility of the back, disturbing day to day life activities. There may also be deformity of the spine over the period of time.

Related conditions:

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a similar condition which is more severe and considered to be an auto-immune disease, related with HLA-B-27 gene. The stiffness associated with muscle spasm leads to stiff-spine, often compared with a bamboo spine.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Similar condition but affects more of the multiple and often large joints such as knee, shoulder, fingers, and back. Positive Rh factor is a diagnosing modality.