Patient's question:
My dear younger brother, he has been complaining of lower back pain for several months. He said his back pain is aching and swollen. At first, we thought it was just from overexertion, but after resting for a few days, it didn't improve. Now, it's getting worse and worse. He went to the hospital for a thorough examination. The doctor suspects it might be ankylosing spondylitis. Hello, what specific tests are needed to diagnose ankylosing spondylitis?Doctor's answer:
Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease. After a recurrence of ankylosing spondylitis, the spine suffers the most, and joint fusion may reappear. The main symptom of patients is back pain. If ankylosing spondylitis is suspected, a series of detailed rheumatoid immune tests need to be performed, along with spinal X-rays and CT scans of the sacroiliac joints. First, it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis, and then symptomatic treatment should be provided.