Delve into the world of rheumatology and learn about the different types of spondyloarthropathies
Spondyloarthropathy is an umbrella term for a group of inflammatory conditions that are progressive and painful. These conditions affect the axial and peripheral skeletons, tendons and ligaments, as well as other organs such as the skin, gut and eyes. Spondyloarthropathies tend to affect younger people, usually developing before the age of 45. Because they have such wide-ranging effects, it is important to be able to distinguish these inflammatory conditions from each other and from other types of low back pain.
Unfortunately because they are difficult to distinguish diagnosis and treatment is often delayed resulting in poorer prognosis and outcomes for patients which could easily have been prevented.
Learn with Expert Chris Martey
Chris works as a Musculoskeletal First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP) in General Practice (GP) Surgeries in the South West of England and has a passion for health advocacy. He sits on the Board of Trustees for the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) and has a specialist interest in the medical specialty of Rheumatology, particularly the adult inflammatory condition of Spondyloarthritis.
Chris has presented nationally on the topic of Spondyloarthritis, is published in this field, and is an Executive Committee member on the British Society for Spondyloarthritis (BRITSpA). He is an expert in this field and Physioplus members can access his courses to help get improve timeliness to diagnosis and treament for these patients.
Take Part in the Overview of Spondyloarthropathy Course
Courses in The Programme
Spondyloarthropathy is a chronic form of inflammatory arthritis which has axial and peripheral manifestations, as well as extra-articular features. Because of its varied presentation, diagnosing spondyloarthropathy can be a lengthy and complex process. While only rheumatologists are able to diagnose spondyloarthropathy, it is important that other clinicians, including physiotherapists, are able to recognise features consistent with these conditions to ensure prompt referral. This course will outline some of the key classification systems developed for differential diagnosis to improve early detection of spondyloarthropathy.
Back pain is a common presenting condition in physiotherapy practice. The majority of patients will be classified as having non-specific mechanical back pain. However, it is essential to be able to identify patients who fall outside of this category, including those whose back pain is inflammatory in origin. This course, the second in a series of courses on spondyloarthropathy, will introduce evidence-based methods to help you to distinguish between these different types of back pain.
Spondyloarthropathies are seronegative inflammatory conditions that have wide-ranging effects beyond axial and peripheral joint pain. These conditions are associated with various co-morbidities, ranging from heightened cardiovascular disease risk to osteoporosis, and extra-articular features, such as skin, eye and bowel disorders. These conditions can add significantly to the disease burden experienced by individuals who have spondyloarthropathy. Early detection, differential diagnosis and appropriate management is, therefore, essential for these patients.
Spondyloarthropathy is an umbrella term for a group of seronegative inflammatory conditions, which have axial and peripheral symptoms. The primary aim of treatment is to reduce inflammation. Issues such as pain, stiffness, fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression, reduced physical activity levels, and increased cardiovascular disease risk also need to be addressed. There are various pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments available for spondyloarthropathy, including exercise therapy. Physiotherapists and occupational therapists play a key role in managing these chronic conditions, from the early stages through to the late stages of disease.