The effect of chiropractic care for a 30-year-old male with advanced ankylosing spondylitis: a time series case report.
BACKGROUND
Manipulative treatment for ankylosing spondylitis is a controversial subject, and no literature on using this therapy for advanced cases with fusion of the spine could be found.


OBJECTIVE
To discuss the case presentation of a patient with advanced ankylosing spondylitis who was treated with chiropractic manipulation and mobilization. Clinical features The patient was a 30-year-old Asian male who was first diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at age 12. Despite medical intervention, a series of exacerbations had fused his sacroiliac joints and the facet joints in his lumbar and cervical spine. He presented with local moderate-to-severe pain in his low back and neck and lack of mobility. Intervention and outcome The patient was treated with grade 5 manipulation of his thoracic spine and grade 3 mobilization of his lumbar and cervical spine, along with physical therapy and stretches for a period of 12 weeks. He reported some improvement of his condition as measured by the SF-36 Health Survey and several measures of spinal flexibility.


CONCLUSIONS
This case shows that even advanced cases of ankylosing spondylitis may show a favorable response to chiropractic manipulative therapy.
Southern California University of Health Sciences, Whittier 90604, USA.
Kevin A
KA
Rose
Woo Sup
WS
Kim
D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D026882:Manipulation, Chiropractic / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome