Spondylitis: Symptoms, Stages & Treatment
A simple guide for patients to understand what spondylitis is, how it progresses, and available treatment options.
What is spondylitis?
Spondylitis is a general term for inflammation of the spinal joints. It can cause chronic back pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Common types include cervical spondylitis (neck), lumbar spondylitis (lower back), and ankylosing spondylitis (a type of arthritis affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints).
General symptoms patients notice
- Persistent neck or back pain
- Stiffness, especially after waking up
- Pain that worsens with rest but improves with activity
- Reduced flexibility or difficulty bending
- Muscle spasms around the spine
- In severe cases, nerve symptoms like tingling, numbness, or weakness in arms/legs
How severity progresses
Stages of spondylitis & what to do
Stage 1: Early/mild
Symptoms: Mild pain, stiffness after waking or sitting for long periods.
What to do: Exercise regularly, practice good posture, use ergonomic chairs, and take anti-inflammatory medications if prescribed.
Stage 2: Moderate
Symptoms: More frequent pain, reduced flexibility, difficulty with routine tasks.
What to do: Consult a doctor. Physiotherapy, pain medications, and lifestyle changes are usually recommended. Avoid prolonged rest.
Stage 3: Severe
Symptoms: Chronic pain, stiffness, possible nerve compression with tingling or weakness.
What to do: Stronger medications, physical therapy, and sometimes steroid injections. Imaging tests (like MRI) may be required for diagnosis.
Stage 4: Advanced
Symptoms: Spinal fusion, deformity, permanent loss of flexibility, high disability risk.
What to do: Specialist care is essential. Advanced treatment may involve biologic drugs or surgery in rare cases.
Prevention & self-care tips
- Maintain correct posture while sitting and standing
- Do regular back-strengthening and stretching exercises
- Avoid prolonged sitting or lying down
- Sleep on a firm mattress for spinal support
- Eat a balanced diet with calcium and vitamin D
- Quit smoking, as it worsens spinal health
When should you see a doctor?
- Persistent back or neck pain lasting more than a few weeks
- Stiffness that does not improve with movement
- Tingling, numbness, or weakness in arms or legs
- Sudden loss of bladder or bowel control (medical emergency)
FAQs
Is spondylitis the same as spondylosis?
No. Spondylitis means inflammation of spinal joints, while spondylosis refers to age-related wear and tear (degeneration).
Can exercise help with spondylitis?
Yes. Regular stretching and strengthening exercises reduce stiffness and improve mobility. Always follow medical advice.
Is surgery needed for spondylitis?
Surgery is rarely required. Most patients improve with medications, physiotherapy, and lifestyle changes. Surgery is only considered in severe cases with nerve compression or deformity.