Surgery
Not everyone with AS will need surgery. However, if specific symptoms are being experienced, surgery may help relieve these symptoms and improve a person’s quality of life. Surgery is normally carried out on the hip or the spine.
People with AS may develop hip arthritis. For people who have hip arthritis and associated pain which does not respond to treatment or those who are disabled, a hip replacement may be considered.
Spinal surgery may also be considered in selected patients with AS. This can include:
- Surgery for segmental instability (abnormal movement between two or more vertebrae in the spine)
- Upper spinal surgery to help with kyphosis (curvature of the spine)
- Surgery to stabilise the spine
- Neurological problems