Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis

Should a patient with ankylosing spondylitis present following trauma, a high index of suspicion for occult fractures should be present. It is common for patients with ankylosing spondylitis to develop epidural haematomas with subtle neurological deficit. Patients with a significant fixed flexion deformity at the cervicothoracic junction (‘chin-on-chest’ deformity), limited forward gaze and eating and swallowing di ffi culties may be treated with a closing wedge osteotomy at the cervicothoracic junction ( Figure 37.7 ). Extension osteotomies can also be per formed in the thoracic and lumbar spine. Ankylosing spondylitis

Should a patient with ankylosing spondylitis present following trauma, a high index of suspicion for occult fractures should be present. It is common for patients with ankylosing spondylitis to develop epidural haematomas with subtle neurological deficit. Patients with a significant fixed flexion deformity at the cervicothoracic junction (‘chin-on-chest’ deformity), limited forward gaze and eating and swallowing di ffi culties may be treated with a closing wedge osteotomy at the cervicothoracic junction ( Figure 37.7 ). Extension osteotomies can also be per formed in the thoracic and lumbar spine. Ankylosing spondylitis

Should a patient with ankylosing spondylitis present following trauma, a high index of suspicion for occult fractures should be present. It is common for patients with ankylosing spondylitis to develop epidural haematomas with subtle neurological deficit. Patients with a significant fixed flexion deformity at the cervicothoracic junction (‘chin-on-chest’ deformity), limited forward gaze and eating and swallowing di ffi culties may be treated with a closing wedge osteotomy at the cervicothoracic junction ( Figure 37.7 ). Extension osteotomies can also be per formed in the thoracic and lumbar spine.