Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a serious rheumatoid disease affecting mainly the cartilage and joints in the spine. This can result in the fusing of vertebrae in the spine. It can also affect the hips, shoulders and the joint which attaches the spine to the pelvis called the sacroiliac joint.

Symptoms and characteristics:

The onset of symptoms most commonly occurrs between ages 15 to 45. The course of the disease is variable, with times when it is well controlled and causes few problems and other times when the symptoms flare up. Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis include:

• chronic low back, buttock or neck pain and stiffness
• early morning back stiffness, wearing off during the day or with exercise
• pain in tendons which attach the muscles to bones
• improvement with exercise, worse after rest
• skin rashes, eye inflammation, bowel or lung related symptoms
• slow, gradual onset over weeks or months
• loss of mobility in the back and in some instances the hips and shoulders.

Workplace adjustments and solutions:

In the workplace there are various factors that would assist people with ankylosing spondilitis to better manage their symptoms. These include changes to work tasks and the environment, such as:

• modifying workstation set up to avoid or minimise bending, twisting, reaching or looking down
• providing and adjusting an ergonomic chair or stool to individual needs to allow postural rotation
• changing work routine to build in regular changes in posture to avoid static sitting and standing
• education in use of correct manual handling techniques
• ensuring the workplace and work tasks are set up to minimise repetitive or heavy lifting or the need to access below waist or above shoulder level
• if required to stand for long periods, consider the use of anti-fatigue matting
• consider capacity for staff rotation between physically demanding tasks and lighter tasks as a way of building in breaks without having to stop work
• consider the use of lifting or mechanical aids such as trolleys to minimise lifting requirements
• allowing stretch breaks to be incorporated into the daily work routine.

Employers of people with disability may be eligible for free workplace assessments and modifications through the Employment Assistance Fund. The Employment Assistance Fund helps people with disability by providing financial assistance to purchase a range of work related modifications and services for people who are about to start a job or who are currently working, as well as those who require assistance to find and prepare for work.

More information on the Employment Assistance Fund, including eligibility requirements, is available through this link:

• The Employment Assistance Fund 

There are specific solutions and adjustments relating to ankylosing spondylitis:

• bending
• Lifting and carrying up to 4.5 kilograms
• Lifting and carrying up to 9 kilograms
• Lifting and carrying up to 23 kilograms
• Lifting in excess of 45 kilograms
• Lifting up to 45 kilograms
• maintaining a sitting position
• managing pain
• mobility
• working at standing height

Exercise is extremely important in the management of ankylosing spondylitis and an exercise plan is important for overall fitness and flexibility. A physiotherapist can organise a specific program, even stretches that can be completed in the workplace.

• Physical and mobility specialist

Relevant Links:

• Arthritis Australia

References:

Would you like more information?

• Arthritis