spondylitis

Introduction

Inflammation of vertebral joints.

Pathology

• most prominent at lumbar & thoracic discovertebral junctions
• apophyseal & costovertebral joints are often involved
• vertebral osteoporosis
• bridging ossification of the annulus fibrosis (marginal syndesmophytes)
• ossification may extend to involve adjacent anterior & posterior longitudinal ligaments (non marginal syndesmophytes)
• involvement is generally ascending & continuous, but patchy involvement may be seen

Clinical manifestations

• low & midback pain, stiffness
• limitation of motion in all planes

More general terms

• arthritis
• spine disease; vertebral disorder
• chronic musculoskeletal disease

More specific terms

• ankylosing spondylitis, axial spondyloarthritis; Marie Strumpell disease; Bechterew's disease (AS)
• tuberculous spondylitis; Pott's disease

Additional terms

• spondylosis
• syndesmophyte