Ankylosing spondylitis. Coloured X-ray of the thoracic and lumbar spine in a patient suffering from ankylosing spondylitis. This is a chronic inflamma

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Ankylosing spondylitis. Coloured X-ray of the thoracic and lumbar spine in a patient suffering from ankylosing spondylitis. This is a chronic inflammatory arthritis of the spine and the sacro- iliac joints that connect the spine to the pelvis. Here, the thoracic spine to which ribs attach (at top centre) and the lumbar spine (lower centre) are affected. The vertebrae have fused together leaving no intervertebral gaps. This fusion gives a \bamboo spine\" appearance. Ankylosing spondy- litis typically starts with pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips; permanent stiffness (ankylosis) and spine curvature (kyphosis) may result. Treatment is with drugs and exercise."

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Size: 3669px × 4872px
Photo credit: © ALFRED PASIEKA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -ray, .., ankylosing, arthritic, arthritis, bamboo, condition, disease, disorder, fused, fusion, healthcare, joint, medical, medicine, spinal, spine, spon., spondylitis, vertebra, vertebral, xray