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spondylitis

Spondylitis is inflammation of the vertebral bodies or the spinal column. It is a broad term used for inflammatory conditions that affect the spine, most notably axial spondyloarthritis such as ankylosing spondylitis, but it can also describe infectious or other inflammatory processes involving the vertebrae.

Common symptoms include chronic back pain and stiffness, particularly in the lower back and buttocks, often

Causes include inflammatory spondyloarthropathies (ankylosing spondylitis, non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, psoriatic and enteropathic spondylitis), reactive arthritis with

Diagnosis relies on clinical assessment, imaging, and laboratory tests. X-ray findings may show sacroiliitis or syndesmophytes

Treatment targets the underlying cause. Inflammatory spondylitis commonly uses nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and, in

Prognosis depends on the specific cause and how promptly it is managed. Inflammatory disease may lead to

worse
in
the
morning
and
improving
with
activity.
Reduced
spinal
mobility,
tenderness
over
affected
vertebrae,
and
in
advanced
cases
loss
of
spinal
curvature
or
fusion
may
occur.
Fever
and
fatigue
may
occur
in
infectious
causes.
axial
involvement,
and
infectious
spondylitis
such
as
vertebral
osteomyelitis
or
tuberculous
spondylitis.
Traumatic
injury
or
degenerative
disease
can
mimic
or
contribute
to
symptoms,
but
spondylitis
denotes
inflammation.
in
established
disease;
MRI
detects
early
inflammatory
changes.
Blood
tests
may
reveal
elevated
ESR/CRP
and
HLA-B27
positivity.
Cultures
or
PCR
may
be
needed
to
identify
infectious
agents
in
suspected
infectious
spondylitis.
eligible
cases,
biologic
therapies
such
as
TNF
inhibitors
or
interleukin-17
inhibitors.
Peripheral
arthritis
may
require
disease-modifying
antirheumatic
drugs.
Infectious
spondylitis
requires
antimicrobial
therapy
and
sometimes
surgical
intervention.
chronic
pain
and
reduced
mobility,
while
infectious
spondylitis
can
be
serious
and
require
aggressive
treatment.
Early
diagnosis
improves
outcomes.