Health encyclopaedia

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Treatment of Ankylosing spondylitis

Daily exercise to improve movement of the spine and posture is the best type of treatment. Two to fours hours a week of gentle stretching exercises or swimming is a good target. Consult you GP before starting any new exercise programme to make sure it will be beneficial to you.

Hydrotherapy (physiotherapy in water) and physiotherapy may also be helpful in increasing movement. 

Drugs to control pain and diminish inflammation are usually prescribed for people with AS. The most useful group is the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Although some drugs can reduce the symptoms of AS, there are no drugs available at present that can slow or stop the condition.

A small number of people with very severe AS will need surgery such as hip replacement operations. Surgery is not often used to treat severe spine deformity.

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