Difference Between Ankylosing Spondylitis and Degenerative Disc Disease

1. Is spondylosis the same as degenerative disc disease?
2. Is ankylosing spondylitis a degenerative disease?
3. Can ankylosing spondylitis cause herniated discs?
4. What is the difference between ankylosing spondylitis and spondylosis?
5. Can you be paralyzed from degenerative disc disease?
6. How do you sleep with spondylosis?
7. How serious is ankylosing spondylitis?
8. What triggers ankylosing spondylitis?
9. How painful is ankylosing spondylitis?
10. Can you live a long life with ankylosing spondylitis?
11. Can you end up in a wheelchair with ankylosing spondylitis?
12. Can we stop progression of ankylosing spondylitis?

Is spondylosis the same as degenerative disc disease?

Spondylosis is age-related change of the bones (vertebrae) and discs of the spine. These changes are often called degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis. These changes don't always cause symptoms. But they are a common cause of spine problems that can range from mild to severe.

Is ankylosing spondylitis a degenerative disease?

Ankylosing spondylitis is not so much degenerative like osteoarthritis, which is a wear and tear condition, as progressive so that in the course of time the inflammation can lead to permanent stiffness and limitation of movement in the spine as in curvature (kyphosis).

Can ankylosing spondylitis cause herniated discs?

The pathology of ankylosing spondylitis is such that the nucleus pulposus tends to be spared, allowing disc herniation to occur in the heavily ossified spine. In virtually all patients, satisfactory correction of the flexion deformity could be safely accomplished following spinal fracture.

What is the difference between ankylosing spondylitis and spondylosis?

Spondylitis is inflammation of one or more vertebrae, such as in ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory form of arthritis of the spine. This is a very different process than spondylosis because spondylosis is degenerative while spondylitis is inflammatory.

Can you be paralyzed from degenerative disc disease?

This is called a disc herniation. If the disc herniates in the direction of the spinal cord or nerve root, it can cause neurologic compromise. Disc herniations in the cervical spine can be serious. If significant enough, they can cause paralysis of both the upper and lower extremities, though this is extremely rare.

How do you sleep with spondylosis?

8 Tips for a Better Night's Sleep When You Have Ankylosing Spondylitis

1. Control your pain with effective treatments. The less pain you're in, the easier it will be for you to sleep. ...
2. Sleep on a firm mattress. ...
3. Exercise. ...
4. Take a warm bath. ...
5. Use a thin pillow. ...
6. Straighten up. ...
7. Set up your bedroom for sleep. ...
8. Get snoring checked out.

How serious is ankylosing spondylitis?

In rare cases, people with severe ankylosing spondylitis may develop serious complications, including: A hunched posture. A curled forward, chin-to-chest stance can occur if the spine fuses together in a hunched forward position. People who develop this deformity have a permanent downward gaze.

What triggers ankylosing spondylitis?

What causes ankylosing spondylitis? The cause of AS is not known, but researchers think that genes play a role. A gene called HLA-B27 occurs in over 95 percent of Caucasian-Americans who have AS, but only 50% of African-Americans who have the disease. However, some people with the HLA-B27 gene do not have AS.

How painful is ankylosing spondylitis?

But the pain from ankylosing spondylitis is likely to be long lasting. You may also have neck, shoulder, hip or thigh pain, which is worse when you've not been active for a time, for example if you sit for long periods working at a desk. Some people have pain, stiffness and swelling in their knees or ankles.

Can you live a long life with ankylosing spondylitis?

Prognosis. Almost all people with ankylosing spondylitis can expect to lead normal and productive lives. Despite the chronic nature of the illness, only a few people with ankylosing spondylitis will become severely disabled.

Can you end up in a wheelchair with ankylosing spondylitis?

“You have Ankylosing Spondylitis. It is a rare disease, there is no cure, and you will end up in a wheelchair.

Can we stop progression of ankylosing spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis outlook

AS is a progressive disease which means it worsens over time. There also isn't currently a cure. But there are ways to slow the progression of the condition and help you stay active.