| BACKGROUND: Manipulative treatment for ankylosing spondylitis is a controversial subject, and no literature on using this therapy for advanced cases with fusion of the spine could be found. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the case presentation of a patient with advanced ankylosing spondylitis who was treated with chiropractic manipulation and mobilization. Clinical features: The patient was a 30-year-old Asian male who was first diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at age 12. Despite medical intervention, a series of exacerbations had fused his sacroiliac joints and the facet joints in his lumbar and cervical spine. He presented with local moderate-to-severe pain in his low back and neck and lack of mobility. Intervention and outcome: The patient was treated with grade 5 manipulation of his thoracic spine and grade 3 mobilization of his lumbar and cervical spine, along with physical therapy and stretches for a period of 12 weeks. He reported some improvement of his condition as measured by the SF-36 Health Survey and several measures of spinal flexibility. CONCLUSIONS: This case shows that even advanced cases of ankylosing spondylitis may show a favorable response to chiropractic manipulative therapy. Click on the above link for the PubMed record for this letter; full text by subscription. |
