Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Normal Chest expansion data

Here is a chart on chest expansion. It is a pdf file

http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/pbs/drugs1/files/ma_chest_expansion_normal.pdf

I have had at least 2 of these tests...one where I breather into a machine and she was on a computer and the line would go up and down.

Then I had the test at the hospital where you actually go into what looks like a sound proof booth and did it..I know this one was very expensive.

My Immunologist also said I have only about 70% of my lung capacity.

I know in 1999 when I had the big SI fiasco, the 2 weeks in the hospital and was in so much pain that even breathing felt like I was being stabbed...I know that has changed the way I breathe..I am suppose to do excersises to breath in deeply but I still catch myself breathing real shallow.

Lisa

Thanks for posting this. It's something I've been wondering about, but was never able to find good data on.

Back in February, the PT measured my chest expansion at 3/4 inch (1.9 cm). I see that normal for my age and sex is 5.0 cm, giving me significant limitation of chest expansion.

Since then, the PT has worked manually with my costovertebral (rib/spine) joints to loosen them up. She has also loosened by thoracic spine. In addition, I have been doing deep breathing exercises on my own.

I can feel that my chest expansion is now significantly greater than back in February. At my request, the PT aide measured my expansion about a month ago. Unfortunately, she wasn't doing very well. As I breathed in, I could feel the tape measure getting tighter. I told her so, and she redid it a couple of times for me, but I could tell she still wasn't doing it right, so I gave up. Some time when I'm with the PT and the aide isn't around, I'll have it measured again and correctly this time so I know how much I've improved.

Karen

I think there is a typo in this chart, though. If you read the values for females, left to right, the values are 5.5, 5.5, 4.5, 5.0, 4.0, 4.0...

I think it should read, 5.5, 5.5, 5.0, 4.5, 4.0, 4.0...

Karen

I am trying to follow what you originally posted. I followed the link and filled in the data (I had to estimate the chest expansion-not sure what is normal for a 46 year old male?) The results showed that I do not have A.S. But, my symptoms and my Rheumitoligists say that I do have it (including the BL-27 Marker)...I have recently been diagnosed (5 Months ago) and am taking Enbrel. I do have one Orthopedic Dr. friend that is not convinced I have A.S. when I've talked to him about my symptoms and let him look at my MRI.

Oops! I just saw the link you posted (Drizzit) on chest expansion norms. My questions are the following;
1. Is this "New York" criteria the new standard?
2. Why doesn't it ask about the genetic marker BL-27?
3. What is your overall purpose for posting this?

My questions are sincere. Honestly, I don't fit most of the common criteria for A.S. symptoms. I am a 46 year old male. I started having shoulder pain 15 months ago. Then both shoulders. That is where the majority of my pain was. Then, some neck pain, etc...

What advice would any of you have for me as far as what to do next? I am taking Enbrel and it seems to be aleviating symptoms, but, I am concerned about side effects. I am trying to see if my diet (starches) is a factor in the amount of pain I have.

Jorgensen

I just found it interesting is all. I have no idea how reliable it is but it was kind of different. There is no agenda LOL.

I think many docs use the "modified" New York criteria for diagnosing AS. How strict they should follow those criteria is often debated on many AS boards. I am not sure of the difference between the New York criteria and the modified New York criteria. There is also Rome criterion for diagnosis and I am still reading about that one.

Here is the modified New York Criteria

Clinical criteria:
Low back pain; present for more than 3 months; improved by exercise but not relieved by rest.

Limitation of lumbar spine motion in both the sagittal and frontal planes.

Limitation of chest expansion relative to normal values for age and sex.

Radiological criterion:
Sacroiliitis on X-ray.

Diagnose:
Definite ankylosing spondylitis if the radiological criterion is present plus at least one clinical criterion.
Probable ankylosing spondylitis if three clinical criteria are present alone, or if the radiological criterion is present but no clinical criteria are present.

Maybe I will ask my doc about it next week when I have an appointment. I have a totally fused Left SI with had chronic Iritis so my diagnosis was easy.

In your case I think 46 is a late onset for AS and the shoulder first is not a classic case that is for sure. I can see why there are doubts. I think a second rheumy opinion would be in order.

unfortunately i cant seem to open this link

Do you think you could copy the chart and post it on here

Hey there, thanks for posting this. It was interesting.

One thing to remember is that chest expansion issues will only come into play with AS if there is inflammation in an area that would impact on your chest expansion (thoracic, sternum, etc.). It really is not indicative of AS if your chest expansion is low, or vice versa.

Also, it will depend on you. As a trained singer and performer (and also taking into account that I do pilates), my chest expansion averages at 6cm. When my thoracics are bad, it goes to a little over 4cm. It's all relative to you.

Lisa, you mentioned a couple of tests that I have also had. At one point, I was concerned that my thoracic pain was starting to impact my breathing. My rheumy sent me for pulmonary testing, to make sure there was nothing going on from a lung standpoint that would impact my breathing. I did those test, as well as a ton of allergy tests. We found out that my body doesn't process oxygen properly, probably due to the fact that it seems I am now allergic to much of the natural world. Since I won't live in a plastic bubble, or stop working in my garden, or get rid of my cats, and since Nasonex gave me headaches, I now accept that I will always be somewhat congested for the rest of my life. Regardless, these are different tests from the chest expansion test. Just to clarify. [wmile]

Warm hugs,