The effect of chiropractic care for a 30-year-old male with advanced ankylosing spondylitis: a time series case report

The efficacy of manual soft-tissue mobilization in ankylosing spondylitis: A randomized controlled study

AIM

The aim of this randomized controlled study was to investigate the effect of soft-tissue mobilization in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHOD

Twenty-one patients (mean age 44.57 ± 10.40 years) were randomly divided into two groups. There were 13 patients (11 females, 2 males, age 43.69 ± 9.94 years) in the intervention group and 8 patients (5 females, 3 males, age 46.00 ± 11.67 years) in the control group. In the intervention group, soft-tissue mobilization therapy and 20 spinal mobility exercises were applied. The control group received only 20 spinal mobility exercises. The Bath AS Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath AS Functional Index (BASFI), and Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI) were used for assessment of disease activity, functional level, and mobility, respectively. Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) for quality of life and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) were used to determine disability levels.

RESULTS

We found significant differences between pretreatment and post-treatment scores of BASDAI (P = 0.049); BASFI (P = 0.009; lateral lumbar flexion (P = 0.005), maximal intermalleolar distance (P = 0.001) and total score (P = 0.001) of BASMI; pain subtest (P = 0.036) and total score (P = 0.036) of NHP; and RMDQ score (P = 0.004) in the intervention group. However, in the control group the BASMI score (P = 0.049) was observed to worsen significantly. Delta values were compared and differences in BASFI (P = 0.039), and in lateral lumbar flexion (P = 0.027), maximal intermalleolar distance (P = 0.045) and total score (P = 0.001) of BASMI were significant in favor of intervention group. Only tragus-to-wall distance (P = 0.039) of BASMI was observed to worsen significantly in the control group.

CONCLUSION

We recommend the use of soft-tissue mobilization in addition to the exercises to treat AS patients.

Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Associated with a Fracture in Elderly Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

There are few cases of spinal cord injury with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This study investigated the clinical results of a spinal cord injury with a fracture in elderly patients with AS. Nine patients who had sustained a spinal cord injury with vertebral fractures in ankylosed spines were included in this study. The mean age was 79.3 years; two were male and seven were female. The mechanism of injury, the level of vertebral fractures, clinical methods, the follow-up period, and treatment outcomes were investigated. The mechanism of injury of six cases was a fall and in the others was a slip. The levels of vertebral fractures were a cervical lesion (n = 5), a thoracic lesion (n = 3), and a lumbar lesion (n = 1). Six cases underwent a surgical procedure with posterior fusion and decompression, two cases were treated only with a brace, and one case was treated with a halo vest. The mean follow-up period was 4.3 years. The neurological deficit treatment outcomes were improved or no change in four cases each and one case had died. There was not much difference in treatment outcomes between a surgical treatment and a conservative treatment. Computed tomography imaging to evaluate the entire spine is required in all patients with AS with a possible spinal fracture. A surgical treatment and early rising and rehabilitation should be recommended for patients with fractures and AS to avoid further complications, not from the standpoint of improving the neurological status.

Chiropractic Care in the Management of Inactive Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Case Series

Objective

This report describes chiropractic management for 3 cases of inactive ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Clinical Features

A 25-year-old woman presented with chronic, mechanical neck pain and stiffness that was ultimately diagnosed as AS. A 23-year-old man presented with chronic low back and left hip pain that was diagnosed as AS. A 31-year-old man with low back pain presented with a known diagnosis of AS. Physical examination in 2 cases failed to identify systemic findings associated with AS. In the third case, examination revealed a history of ulcerative colitis. Laboratory examination of case 2 yielded a positive HLA-B27, but cases 1 and 3 were HLA-B27 negative. The acute reactants were negative in all 3 patients, indicating an inactive phase of disease. All 3 patients underwent spinal imaging including sacroiliac joint radiography. In case 3, magnetic resonance imaging of the sacroiliac joints was performed. All 3 imaging examinations revealed bilateral, symmetric sacroiliitis.

Interventions and Outcome

Patients were managed by both a medical rheumatologist and a doctor of chiropractic. Chiropractic care ranged from instrument-assisted spinal manipulation to diversified spinal and soft tissue manipulation and Cox flexion-distraction. Patients were given home stretches and rehabilitation exercises. All 3 patients experienced some relief of their symptoms including pain reduction and improved activities of daily living.

Conclusion

These 3 patients displayed differences and commonalities in clinical, laboratory, and imaging features. Chiropractic manipulation and rehabilitation seemed to be beneficial in reducing symptomatology and improving musculoskeletal function for these 3 patients. These findings suggest the potential for collaborative or integrative management in similar cases.

Optimizing physical therapy for ankylosing spondylitis: a case study in a young football player

[Purpose] Ankylosing spondylitis is prevalent in men. Modern and expert consensus documents include physical therapy among the strategies for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. This study aimed to describe the physical therapy approach in an athlete with ankylosing spondylitis. [Subject and Methods] The patient, refractory to treatment with anti-inflammatory medication, showed pelvic and lumbar pain and joint, muscle, and functional disorders, which were treated with orthopedic joint mobilization, dry needling, exercise, and whole-body hyperthermia. [Results] After the treatment, pain relief, normal joint mobility, improved muscle function, and return to activities of daily living and competitive sporting activities were recorded. [Conclusion] The literature provides evidence for the use of joint mobilization techniques; however, no previous studies have used the same techniques and methods. There is no previous evidence for the use of dry needling in this pathology. Exercise therapy has a higher level of evidence, and guidelines with scientific support were followed. This research confirms the effectiveness of hyperthermia for arthritis. The early stage of ankylosing spondylitis, and the young age, good overall condition, and cooperative attitude of the patient led to positive outcomes. In conclusion, a favorable response that promoted the remission of the disease was observed.