Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by bone formation, syndesmophytes, and ankylosis of the sacroiliac joints and spine. Recently, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors such as infliximab and adalimumab have been shown to be efficacious for AS. However, patients with AS often suffer from arthralgia and problems related to ankylosis of the spine due to the delay in the diagnosis of AS. Those patients often benefit from surgical treatments.
We have treated total of 72 patients with AS in our hospital. Among them 32 operations were performed on total of 19 patients. Total hip arthroplasties were the most performed surgical procedure. Surgeries for spinal fractures and spinal deformity have also been performed.
