Lisa from St. Albert asks: My doctor thinks I might have ankylosing spondylitis. Although I can control the pain most of the time with exercise and mild anti-inflammatories, is there any additional benefit in getting a definitive diagnosis and in seeing a rheumatologist?
For both mechanical and inflammatory back pain, exercise and anti-inflammatories remain first line options for treatment. A definitive diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis may be helpful for individuals to have access to other treatment options if first line management is not effective. A rheumatologist may also be able to better monitor you and suggest treatment for other manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis, such bowel, eye, skin involvement.
Posted: June 5, 2019
Tagged: ankylosing spondylitis, back pain