Spondylitis

Tuberculous spondylitis is also known as Pott's disease. It refers to the infection of the vertebrae of the spine caused by miliary (disseminated) tuberculosis. About 1% to 3% of patients with tuberculosis have infections in the bone; the spine is the most common site. Organisms spread from the site of primary infection through the blood. Once established in the spine, the infection moves through the intervertebral discs to multiple vertebrae. When it extends into the surrounding soft tissue, abscesses may be created. Symptoms: Patients report pain when they move their back. Signs include a low-grade fever, weight loss, and local tenderness. When several upper vertebrae are involved, compression fractures, curvature of the spine (kyphosis), or nerve injury may occur.

It is a traumatic spondylitis in which symptoms do not appear until some time after the injury.

Hypertrophic spondylitis is a condition in which bodies of vertebrae hypertrophy; it occurs in most people over 50. Bony changes such as slipping at bases and the development of bony outgrowths on articular processes occur.

It refers to the inflammation of the vertebral joints resulting in the outgrowth of bone-like deposits on the vertebrae, which may fuse and cause rigid and distorted spine.

A chronic progressive inflammatory disorder that, unlike other rheumatological diseases, affects men more often than women. It involves primarily the joints between articular processes, costovertebral joints, and sacroiliac joints, and occasionally, the iris or the heart valves. Bilateral sclerosis of sacroiliac joints is a diagnostic sign. Affected persons have a high incidence of a specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA-B27), which may predispose them to the disease. Changes occurring in joints are similar to those seen in rheumatoid arthritis. Ankylosis may occur, giving rise to a stiff back (poker spine). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physical therapy are the primary forms of treatment. Synonyms: Ankylosing spondylitis is also known by the names rheumatoid spondylitis and Marie-Strumpell spondylitis.