According to BS.CKII Ngo Ho Sinh (Chinese Military General Hospital), adhesive spinitis can appear at any age but usually starts in the age of 20-30. Men are more likely to get the disease than women, with a ratio of about 3:1.
The exact cause of the disease has not been fully determined. Genetic factors are believed to be closely related, especially the HLA-B27 gene. However, not all HLA-B27 carriers are infected and people who are negative for this gene do not completely rule out the risk. This shows that in addition to genetic factors, the disease is also related to many other factors.
BS.CKII Ngo Ho Sinh said that immune disorders also play an important role in the pathogenesis. When the immune system overreacts, inflammatory substances can be released, causing damage to the tissues of the body itself and promoting the inflammatory process in the joints.
The most common symptom is pain in the lower back, buttocks, or pelvic area. Unlike normal mechanical back pain, pain from inflammation usually appears silently, does not increase during exercise and is difficult to improve during rest. Conversely, the pain may worsen at night, accompanied by stiff joints in the morning.
According to experts, during sleep, the body maintains a state of inactivity for many hours, causing inflammation and inflammatory mediators to accumulate, leading to a feeling of stiffness and pain when awake. When starting to exercise, circulation is improved, and symptoms usually gradually decrease.
Pain from inflammation often appears in the buttocks or lower back, may alternate between the buttocks, pain on both sides or spread to the back. If not detected and treated early, patients may increasingly have difficulty flexing, leaning back, or tilting. The spine may later become stiff, hunched, or deformed, even causing deformation. In some cases, neck contraction also appears, causing the head to tend to move forward.
Joint-bonded spinal inflammation is also not limited to the musculoskeletal system. The disease can be related to many other organs such as the eyes, kidneys, heart, lungs, nervous system, skin and mucous membranes or digestive tract, causing different external manifestations.
When suspected of having the disease, doctors will base on symptoms and clinical examinations, combine blood tests, diagnostic imaging and professional criteria to draw conclusions. According to BS.CKII Ngo Ho Sinh, the treatment goal is to control inflammation, reduce symptoms, maintain motor function and limit spinal deformities. Therefore, early detection and treatment is important.
Treatment often combines many methods, in which non-drug measures play a consistent role. Patients need to be provided with information about the nature, progression and treatment methods to proactively coordinate with the doctor.
In daily activities, patients should maintain a straight posture when standing, sitting and walking, avoiding prolonged hunching postures. When sleeping, you can choose a relatively stiff mattress and maintain a posture that helps the spine to be straightened. Appropriate exercise is also very important, in which aerobic exercises, swimming, cycling and back muscle-strengthening exercises can be prioritized. Deep breathing exercises help maintain chest flexibility.
Some cases may be indicated for physical therapy, such as heat therapy, to increase local circulation, help muscles relax, reduce pain and maintain mobility.
