ABSTRACT
Although ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is more commonly associated with amphi-arthrodial joints, it has been reported to affect peripheral diarthrodial joints, like the knee, in up to 70% of the patients (1–3). The rapid progression to ankylosis of the joints, in patients with AS, may lead to severe stiffness and immobility. Joint pain may be due to “coxitis,” i.e., the inflammatory process affecting the joint or in the advanced stage of the disease due to development of severe degenerative joint disease. Treatment options for arthritis of the knee in AS patients are similar to other patients with osteoarthritis. The management strategy includes institution of nonoperative treatments such as weight loss, activity modification, anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroid injections, and even viscosupplementation injections whenever indicated. Because of the potential failure of nonoperative treatment for the degenerative joint disease, some of these patients will seek treatment from the orthopedic surgeon for their end-stage joint disease.
