Axial Spondyloarthritis: A Clinical Approach

Spondyloarthritis refers to a group of inflammatory diseases affecting the joints and enthuses. Ankylosing spondylitis is the most common of these disorders. Other disorders include psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis and enteropathic arthritis. Spondyloarthritis can cause tiredness, back pain, osteoporosis, psoriasis skin rash, pain or swelling in the hips, ankles, feet, knees, wrists, etc. The diagnosis of spondyloarthritis is based primarily on physical examination and medical history. An X-ray of the sacroiliac joints or an MRI may also be suggested. Pain and inflammation occurring in spondyloarthritis can be addressed with NSAIDs, while corticosteroids can be injected directly into a joint or membrane to reduce joint swelling. In cases where these drugs are insufficient to manage the symptoms, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs may be prescribed to prevent joint damage and relieve symptoms. This book covers in detail the new frontiers in clinical management of spondyloarthritis. Different approaches, evaluations, methodologies and advanced studies on spondyloarthritis have been included herein. This book is a collective contribution of a renowned group of international experts on orthopedics and inflammatory diseases.