Description
The presentation led by Dr. Rohit Shetty, a consultant spinal surgeon from London, covers the topic of inflammatory conditions of the spine, specifically focusing on ankylosing spondylitis (AS). He begins by thanking the audience and acknowledges the late hour of the session, indicating a brisk approach to the forthcoming information. Dr. Shetty discusses the classification of inflammatory conditions, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, particularly in patients under 45 presenting with prolonged back pain. He explains critical characteristics, including genetic associations with HLA B27 and common symptoms, such as night pain and the response to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Throughout the presentation, Dr. Shetty emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, which includes collaboration among general practitioners, orthopedic surgeons, and rheumatologists, particularly when patients present with various symptoms, such as hip pain or peripheral involvement. He discusses examination techniques for assessing spinal function, like the Wall Test and Schober's Test, and stresses the need to document findings thoroughly.
The talk also touches upon radiological assessments using MRI and X-ray to identify changes indicative of inflammatory pathology. Dr. Shetty explains the management strategies, which range from pharmacological interventions to surgical considerations, particularly in advanced cases where significant lifestyle impact is noted. He concludes with a reminder of the importance of recognizing inflammatory conditions like AS to improve patient outcomes, inviting questions and encouraging feedback from the audience.