SPONDYLITIS

inflammation of one or more of the vertebrae. Spondylitis takes several forms; the most widely occurring forms are ankylosing spondylitis, hypertrophic spondylitis, and tuberculous spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis (also called Bekhterev spondylitis, deforming spondylitis, or Marie-Strmpell arthritis) is a degenerative disease of the spine that is characteristically seen chiefly in adolescent boys and young men. Its earliest symptom is chronic lower back pain. The progression of the disease can be noted in stiffness and limitation of movement, swollen joints (often indistinguishable from rheumatoid arthritis), fusion (ankylosis) and deformity of the spine, and anemia. Treatment is similar to that for rheumatoid arthritis and may include the use of nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs. Hypertrophic spondylitis, also known as osteoarthritis of the spine, is a degenerative disease seen mostly in individuals over the age of 50. It is characterized by the destruction of intervertebral disks and the growth of spurs on the vertebrae themselves. Treatment includes rest, the application of heat, and exercises to maintain a normal range of movement. Tuberculous spondylitis (also called Pott's disease, or tuberculosis of the spine) is usually a disease of childhood. It is caused by infection of the spinal column by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is characterized by softening and collapse of the vertebrae, often resulting in a hunchback deformity. Sometimes the spinal nerves are affected, and rigid paralysis may result. Treatment includes chemotherapy against the tuberculosis bacilli and orthopedic care of the spine.