Axial Spondyloarthritis (Axial SpA)

Chronic back pain in young adults can be caused by axial spondyloarthritis, a kind of inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine and pelvis. Although there is no cure for this condition, you can work with a pain physician to find the best treatment for you. With proper care, you can ease your pain and other symptoms and enjoy a fulfilling and active life. Ankylosis Spondylitis is one of the many but most important type of axial SpA. Ankylosing spondylitis affects mostly the sacroiliac joints, where the lower spine meets our hips. But Axial SpA can also cause problems in your chest or other spine part.

Other types of spondyloarthritis are:

• Peripheral spondyloarthritis, which usually affects arms and legs.

• Psoriatic arthritis, a form of arthritis linked psoriasis skin disease.

• Reactive arthritis, a type of arthritis caused by bacterial infection.

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated arthritis, common in people with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

What is axial spondyloarthritis (Axial Spa)?

When you have axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), your axial skeleton (chest, spine and pelvis) joints are inflamed. This type of arthritis can cause back pain, stiffness and other symptoms in young people, even in their teens. The pain can be very bad and make it hard to move.

AxSpA belongs to a group of arthritis conditions called spondyloarthritis. They happen when your immune system is not working well and attacks your joints and soft tissues. This leads to swelling and damage.

Spondyloarthritis is not like other arthritis types because it can also affect other parts of your body. For example, you may have problems with your eyes, intestines or skin that are not related to your joint pain.

Who are at risk of Axial SpA? 

AxSpA can affect anyone, but it is not common. Only 1% of the world’s population has this condition. It mostly affects young people and can start as early as your teenage years or 20s.

What is the cause of Axial Spa?

Family history can affect your chances of getting axial SpA. A gene called HLA-B27 is common in people with axil SpA. But not everyone with this gene or a family history gets axial SpA. And some people without this gene or a family history can still get axial SpA

What are the sign symptoms of axial SpA?

Back pain is the main sign of axSpA. It lasts for more than three months and is not due to an accident or a physical issue, like a herniated disk or a muscle cramp. Your back pain can also:

• Improve with movement or exercise.

• Worsen at night or when you rest.

• Make your back stiff, especially in the morning.

• Reach your hips or buttocks.

axSpA can also inflame other parts of your body. You may have:

• Diarrhea or other stomach problems.

• Tiredness.

• Enthesitis (swelling, hardening and bone growths at the tendon insertions).

• Dactylitis (swollen fingers or toes). Skin rashes.

• Eye redness or pain

Treatment of Axial SpA (Axial Spondyloarthritis )

AxSpA has no cure. But you can get treatment to ease your symptoms and live better.

Your treatment options may be:

Oral medicines

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Some examples are aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium.

• Physical therapy: a physical therapist, who teaches you exercises that suit your condition. Physical therapy can make your pain less and your muscles and joints more flexible and stronger.

• Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

• Biologics

Pain interventions

Steroid injections: These are medicines that reduce pain and swelling. If you have pain or swelling in one joint area, that is not responding to oral medicines, steroid injections may be the best suitable option for you.

You can always contact Dr Chinmoy Roy at Rajarhat pain clinic at Newtown, Kolkata for treatment of spondylarthritis or spondyloarthropathy