spondylitis

Inflammation of vertebral joints. Pathology: 1) most prominent at lumbar & thoracic discovertebral junctions 2) apophyseal & costovertebral joints are often involved 3) vertebral osteoporosis 4) bridging ossification of the annulus fibrosis (marginal syndesmophytes) 5) ossification may extend to involve adjacent anterior & posterior longitudinal ligaments (non marginal syndesmophytes) 6) involvement is generally ascending & continuous, but patchy involvement may be seen Clinical manifestations: 1) low & midback pain, stiffness 2) limitation of motion in all planes

Related

spondylosis syndesmophyte

Specific

ankylosing spondylitis, axial spondyloarthritis; Marie Strumpell disease; Bechterew's disease (AS) tuberculous spondylitis; Pott's disease

General

arthritis chronic musculoskeletal disease spine disease; vertebral disorder

References

- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, 14, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998, 2006