1. Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), the inflammation found in the spine or pelvic region. Localized back pain can be alleviated with movement since it begins as stiffness in the back, hips, shoulders, and even the heels upon awakening. It can lead to the spine fusing as new bones form, known as ankylosis.

2. Enteropathic Arthritis (EnA)

Inflammation of the intestine and bowel are part of this condition known as Enteropathic Arthritis (EnA). This condition is in addition to the inflamed spine or joint pain, and weight loss, chronic diarrhea, or blood in the stool may accompany it. This condition may result in illnesses such as Crohn’s Disease, undifferentiated colitis, and ulcerative colitis.

3. Juvenile Arthritis (JSpA)

Juvenile Arthritis (JSpA) originating in childhood; JSpA results in pain in lower extremities such as the pelvis, ankles, knees, and hips. It may mimic other spondyloarthritis conditions, but it does stand out with inflammation at the connection spot of the bone and tendons or ligaments, known as enthesitis. Fatigue can also be a major symptom.

4. Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)

In close association with the psoriasis rash, PsA results in typical swelling and pain, along with the skin rash in almost all cases. Spine stiffness and neck pain are prevalent, in addition to major swelling of the fingers or toes.

5. Reactive Arthritis (ReA)

ReA extends beyond joint inflammation as it involves the urinary tract or intestines with inflammation and pain in the bladder, mucous membranes, genitals, eyes, spine, and the skin’s surface. Thankfully, this usually lasts from three to 12 months at a time, but can reoccurs and lead to chronic arthritis.

6. Undifferentiated Arthritis (USpA)

All other related spondyloarthritis conditions fall under the category of USpA. This condition will have similar symptoms, but not specific enough for any of the other groups discussed.

There are two recent developments within the spondyloarthritis group, and they are called axial spondyloarthritis and peripheral spondyloarthritis. Some cases involve both classifications, while most are one or the other.

Axial refers to the inflammation of the spine, whereas peripheral indicates inflamed tendons and joints not located in the spine or pelvic region.

Symptoms

Each form and classification group of this condition has its own symptoms.

All cases can share the following in one way or another:

• Inflammation
• Severe back pain
• Stiffness
• Tender skin surface
• Pain in the eye region
• Eye redness, redness (uveitis)
• Skin rash
• Pain in the buttocks
• Digestive issues
• Swelling and pain in the joints
• Extreme heel pain
• Fatigue

Spondyloarthritis Causes

Research has found that there may be a genetic link to spondyloarthritis conditions as there are at least 30 genes responsible for ankylosing spondylitis. The gene is called HLA-B27, and it is usually found in Caucasian people with spondyloarthritis. Anyone with this gene also has enteropathic arthritis.

Since there are other conditions involved with spondyloarthritis, some cases may have a link to the harmful bacteria that damage the bowel.

Who Is at Risk?

Since the cause behind some cases has yet to be determined, it is difficult to pinpoint why someone contracts it.

Those people at a higher risk may include:

• A family history of the condition
• Descendants of an Alaskan, Scandinavian Lapps, or Siberian Eskimo heritage
• Positive testing of the HLA-B27 gene
• Recurring stomach bacterial infections
• A diagnosis of an inflammatory health condition

Spondyloarthritis Diagnosis

Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient’s medical history and a physical examination. (The affected area will be sore to the touch).

The next step is to confirm the diagnosis with the use of radiographic scans of the joints, such as x-rays, computerized tomography (CT scan), or possibly a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Ultrasound (US) depending on the patient’s symptoms.

These tests will confirm any inflammation of the sacroiliac joints in the region where the pelvis and spine meet.

Blood tests, to determine HLA-B27 status and measure markers of inflammation.

Spondyloarthritis Treatment

Medical treatments directly target the symptoms with the use of pain relievers/pain killers and corticosteroids. Cases of reactive arthritis usually are treated with antibiotics, whereas more severe cases may require disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs to protect joints while combating symptoms.

TNF-alpha inhibitors have worked for symptoms of spinal and peripheral joint conditions. However, extreme joint and bone deformities may require surgery.

Physical therapy and specialized exercises along with lifestyle changes may be able to enhance successful treatment and pain management.

In short words “in allopathic drugs there is no treatment for Spondyloarthritis”.

Homeopathic Treatment for Spondiloarthritis

Kalmia Latifolia

Kalmia Latifolia is a highly beneficial medicine for ankylosing spondylitis. Rheumatic pains, mostly in upper arms and lower part of legs, constant pain in the spine, Pains shift suddenly, Pain in shoulders. Deltoid rheumatism, Paroxysmal pains, Pain in the lumbar area and a burning/heat sensation in the lumbar spine is present, Tearing pains in hip, in leg, in feet.

A feeling of lameness in the back is present, intense pain in the neck (cervical spine), neck stiffness, neck tender to touch. Rheumatism often attacks heart, oppressed breathing; pains generally goes from upper to lower parts; pains shift suddenly, with diarrhoea; Weariness in all muscles.

Rigidity of skin, dry skin, erysipelatous inflamed eruption. Red inflamed places  exceedingly painful, as if boils would form. Restless sleep

Rhus Tox

Rhus Tox is a well indicated medicine for ankylosing spondylitis, stiffness of the back, the stiffness is most intense in morning after long sitting and/or rest aggravates the stiffness, better after walk and/or after hard pressure. Painful swelling of axillary glands.

Rheumatic tearing between scapulae, not affected by movement better by applying cold, worse by heat. Tearing between shoulders, drawing together from both sides, paralysis, and insensibility of arm, jerking tearing in elbows, wrists, and joints of fingers, hot swelling of the hands in evening. Transient coldness in back. Contusive pain in loins, especially on touching the genital parts, and during repose. Pain in lower spine when sitting still or when lying which are aggravates when lying on hard and from exercise. Bruised pain in sacrum. Cramps in buttocks, thighs, and calves, spasmodic twitching of the limbs when stepping out, paralysis of legs and feet. Erysipelatous swelling of feet.

Painful rigidity in loins. Painful exostosis on sacrum. Distortion of the vertebral column. Opisthotonos. Swelling, stiffness, and paralysed sensations in joints. Trembling or sensation of trembling in limbs, excessively cold hands and feet

Constipation, sometimes alternating with diarrhoea; Pain in the lower back is also severe along with stiffness. Nocturnal diarrhoea, with violent colic, headache, and pains in all limbs.

Aesculus Hippocastanum

Constant backache affecting the sacrum and hips, very much aggravated by walking and stooping; almost impossible to rise after sitting down. Back gives out when walking, aching between the shoulders. Spine feels weak. The sacrum, back, neck, head, chest, heart, and abdomen, all seem in remarkable sympathy with the rectum and its vessels pain in the sacrum and the hips, stiffness in the lower back. The symptoms get worse from rising from the seat, patient has to make repeated efforts, sensation as if the back would break.

Aching pains in the lumbar, sacral and the pelvic region, constant backache affecting the sacrum and hips, aggravated by walking and stooping, back gives out when walking. Aching between the shoulders. Spine feels weak, sacrum, back, neck, head, chest, heart, and abdomen, all seem in remarkable sympathy with the rectum and its vessels

Bryonia Alba

Painful stiffness of the neck. Rheumatic stiffness and tension in the nape of the neck, and in the neck. Red spots on the sides of the neck. Red miliary eruption on the neck, with violent itching, backache that is worse from motion or walking, Shootings under the left shoulder blade, extending to the heart, greatly aggravated by cough and respiration. Pressure on the shoulder, with shootings on breathing deeply.

Rheumatic swelling of the r. shoulder and upper arm, with stitches. Tractive pains in the joints of the shoulders and of the arms, with tension, shootings, and shining red swelling, stooping, standing and sitting also worsen the backache.

Hot and pale swelling of the joints of the fingers, inflammation in the back of the hand, with burning pain. Swelling of the hands.

Paralysis of the legs. Tensive and painful stiffness of the knees. Red and shining swelling of the knees, with violent shootings, Stiffness is also present along with a backache, intense that patient has to sit and walk in a stooped posture. Maintaining an upright posture while sitting/walking is difficult.

Erysipelatous inflammation; Miliary eruption; Phlyctenule eruptions, with gnawing or burning itching; Furfuraceous tetters, with burning itching.

Kali Carbonicum

Stiffness between scapulae, dull pain, like hot water, between scapulae, stiffness of nape of neck, weakness of neck muscles. Hard swelling of axillary glands and of those of neck, weakness in the lower back accompanies back pain, drawing pains in back, which often proceed from loins, burning, tearing, Stitching and shooting pains in back, shooting down into gluteal region or hips, lower back, hips, and the thighs; feels better by lying.

Swelling of shoulder, with pain, cracking in shoulder joint, difficulty in turning in bed from a backache. Cold stiffness and numbness of arms, Skin of hands rough and cracked, Gnawing vesicles on fingers.

Numbness and great inclination of whole leg, tearing in hips and knees even while sitting. Paralysis of thighs, Frequent tearing in knees, Crawling shuddering on tibia. Swelling and redness of legs and feet.

Agaricus Muscarius

Agaricus Muscarius pain is, as from fatigue and dislocation in the back, at the nape of the neck and in the loins, especially when sitting or lying down. Painful weakness in back muscles, sensation of soreness and great weakness in the back. Paralytic pain in the loins, increased by walking or by standing, spine is sensitive to touch. The sensitivity of the spine is severe in the morning.

Arms weak and without vigour, burning pain in the arms, followed by an eruption of small pimples with scaling of the epidermis. Irregular and hurried movements of arm, upper arms shaken as from an electric shock. Prostration, weariness, and paralytic feeling, Cramp-like pain in the thumb. Paleness and numbness of the fingers, which are, at the same time, very sensitive to cold. Itching, burning pain, and redness in the fingers.

Limbs affected diagonally; left forearm, right thigh; right knee, left hand. Tearing in limbs feels better in rest or sitting, while worse when moving. Cracking in joints. Subsultus tendinum. Feels as if limbs did not belong to. Legs heavy and fatigued, especially in the thighs. Twitching, quicksilver sensation, in gluteal muscles. Pains in legs like electric shocks, Drawing pressure in the malleoli. Burning itching and redness in the toes.

Natrum Mur

Aching, rigidity, and tension in nape. Stitches in neck and back of head, painful stiffness of the neck, throat and neck emaciates rapidly, especially during summer. Back pain upon lying down, especially on a hard surface. Scurf under axillae. Scabs in axilla, Shootings, incisive pains, and violent pulsation in sacral region. Nocturnal pains in back. Over-sensitiveness of spine.

Wrenching pains in joints of shoulders and fingers. Lassitude and paralytic heaviness of arms. Contusive pain in arms and hands, shocks in elbow. Lancinations in muscles and joints of hands and fingers. Brownish spots on back of hand, Sweat on hands. Difficulty in bending the joints of the fingers. Numbness and tingling in the fingers, in the hands

Tearing across loins and hips, wrenching pain in hips, with shootings drawing pains in thighs, knees, and legs. Restlessness and jerking in limbs (in legs, compelling one to move them constantly). Paralytic weakness of legs, Pain as if knees and ankles were sprained. Weakness and trembling of lower extremities, on rising from a seat, worse from continued walking. Jerking of muscles of thighs. Tension in bends of limbs and sensation as if the tendons were shortened; painful contraction of tendons of ham, Tetters on malleoli, Red titter in hollow of knees.

Calcarea Fluor

Indurated cervical glands of stony hardness. Lumbago from strains; severe backache after a long ride; better after rest, worse after moving and from warmth. Tired aching, as from a long ride; with restlessness. Bony outgrowths appearing in the spine, restlessness, cracking in joints. Synovial swellings. Easy dislocations. Exostoses. Skin harsh and dry. Chaps; fissures. Fistulae.

Cimicifuga Racemosa

Spine very sensitive, especially upper part. Stiffness and contraction in neck and back. Intercostal rheumatism. Rheumatic pains in muscles of back and neck. Pain in lumbar and sacral region, down thighs, and through hips. Crick in back, neck (cervical back) pain and stiffness. Uneasy, restless feeling in limbs, aching in limbs and muscular soreness. Rheumatism affecting the belly of muscles, especially large muscles. Choreic movements, accompanied by rheumatism. Jerking of limbs. Stiffness in tendo-Achilles. Heaviness in lower extremities. Heavy, aching, tensive pain. A contracted sensation in the neck, neck is sensitive to touch. Pressure seems to worsen the pain. Any motion of the head and hands also aggravates the neck pain. Worsening of neck pain from exposure to cold air.

Tellurium Met

Tellurium Met is a medicine for ankylosing spondylitis with marked sacral pain radiating down the thigh. The back is sensitive, and the pain gets worse from touch. A feeling of weakness in the back, and cervical back pain spreading to the shoulder and between the scapulae Sharp, quick pains in elbows, ankles, and other parts, The cervical spine is also sensitive to pressure and touch. Sciatica with sensitiveness of vertebral column. Tonic muscular contraction of long standing. Contraction of tendons of bends of knees. Bruised pain in hip-joints after walking.

Conium Maculatum

Tension in the nape of the neck, Enlargement of the neck severe aching in the sacral region from walking a short distance. Stitching pain in the sacrum when standing, weakness and lameness in the small of the back, tightness in the nape of the neck with pain and stiffness and soreness in the lower cervical spine are also present.

Shoulders painful, as if they had been bruised and excoriated. Humid, scabby, and burning tetters in the forearms. Numbness of the hands and of the palms. Cracking in the wrist-joint. Sweat in the palms of the hands. Torpor of the fingers. Itching in the back of the fingers, yellow spots on the fingers and yellowish nails. Panaris.

Drawing pains in the hips. Arthritic pains in the knee, tearing, and tensive, aggravated on beginning to walk after sitting down, with a sensation as if the tendons were too short (during the suppression of catamenia). Restlessness and heaviness in the legs. Lassitude in the knees. Cracking of the knee-joint. Painful swelling of the legs and of the feet. Red spots on the calves of the legs, sometimes painful, becoming subsequently green or yellow, as after a blow or bruise, and impeding the movement of the foot, which is drawn back, as if the tendons were contracted. Cramps in the calves of the legs. Coldness, and strong disposition to take cold in the feet (even from a slight exposure of the feet). Torpor and insensibility of the feet. Pustules in the feet.

Guaiacum

Pressure on the vertebrae of the neck. Stiffness in the nape of the neck. Constant frequent stitches on left side of nape, extending from scapulae to occiput, on motion, also on holding head still. Stiffness along the back, from the neck extending to the small of the back and sacrum, intolerable on slightest motion, or turning the part, not noticed on touch or during rest.

Tearing and shooting in one side of the back only. Contractive pain between the scapula. Corrosive itching in the back. Shivering in the back in the afternoon. Weakness in the arms. Rheumatic pains in arms…from shoulder to wrist. Lancinating rheumatic pains from elbow to wrist. Rheumatic pains in wrist-joint. Stitches in thumb.

Rheumatic pains in the joints. Arthritic pains in the limbs, with shootings and tearing, and contraction of the parts affected. The pains are provoked by the least movement, and are accompanied by heat. Numbness of the limbs. Painful weariness and weakness in the arms and thighs, with dread of movement. Immovable stiffness of the contracted limbs.

Pains in the bones of the thighs, pressive and tingling pains in the thighs, when seated. Paralytic tension in the thighs, on walking. Weakness in the thighs. Pricking in the nates, as if sitting on needles. Tearing, drawing lancinations in the leg, from tarsus to the knee. Tension in thighs, as if the muscles were too short, with languor when walking; better by contact, worse when sitting.