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ankylosing spondylitis
(AS) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease of the skeleton and ‘joint joining the sacrum to the ilium bone at the base of the spine.
The disease may present differently with respect to the patient’s health status, age, and other factors, but it usually manifests with symptoms such as back pain, joint pain, and swelling, which can alter the patient’s quality of life and lead to possible impairment in both the structure of the spine and joints and functionally.
Fundamental are maintenance therapy , physical therapy, andexercise to avoid immobility and stiffness of the spine, to keep it flexible and functional.
SA, especially when not properly treated, poses various risks and complications to other systems and organs, as may be the case with the heart, an exposed target for rheumatic diseases and damage caused by inflammation.
Studies on the disease and leading research institutions have also and especially shared among the guidelines for the treatment of SA the need to maintain sufficient muscle strength and good cardiorespiratory capacity, standards that can be achieved through the practice of physical exercises.
In the treatment of SA, physical exercises play a key role, proving to be true side-by-side therapy with medication.
The best results in the treatment of SA in terms of improved quality of life, symptom containment, and maintenance of osteo-articular function are those involving patients who, in addition to adhering to medication prescriptions, practicing physiotherapy, also consistently engaged in maintenance physical activity.
Thus, the relationship between fitness and disease control is evident.
It is therefore advisable, after consultation with one’s treating physician, to adhere to a physical therapy program, which, in addition to ensuring an acceptable condition of movement and function, can pave the way for the initiation of constant physical activity.
Some preliminary tests should then be arranged in order to safely start physical activity, including:
- Clinical examination of the patient.
- Physical fitness examination.
- Flexibility, motor control, muscle capacity.
- Cardiorespiratory fitness.
