Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group CT results

Hot off the presses is my CT report. The rheumy hasn't looked it over yet, and has not called me to talk about it yet. SO, I thought I would get a jump on some input from here.

It says "There is degenerative joint disease with vacuum disc at L5-S1. The SI joints appear normal and symmetrical. Hip joints are maintained. There is no evidence of narrowing, erosice change, abnormality of bone density, anklyosis. Osseous structures appear intact."

So, it sounds like good news, right? I'm thinking it sounds like regular old arthritis, right? Or just a bad disc? But, it explains my pain.

But, with the iritis and the HLA-B27+ with a family history...I guess I'll just have to keep an eye on it. Would AS look like they described if it is early? Could I just be having the inflammation from the disc issues and not necessarily AS?

Hi, Katie:

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Could I just be having the inflammation from the disc issues and not necessarily AS?

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Honestly: Almost certainly NOT, (in your case) because the disc issues ARE AS, if only incipient. There is just not yet enough radiological evidence for a firm diagnosis but be patient because, unless properly treated, there will eventually be the characteristic damage (SIJ fusion).

How do you know if you are not properly treating your AS?

If you are relying on NSAIDs for pain control and not taking a DMARD in conjunction with the diet. Signs of untreated AS are iritis and some of the pains from inflammation; the inflammatory process leads to calcification and eventual fusion.

Good luck,
John