What is the Difference Between Ankylosing Spondylitis and Degenerative Disc Disease?

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and degenerative disc disease (DDD) are both conditions that affect the spine and share similar painful symptoms. However, there are important differences between the two:

Ankylosing Spondylitis:

AS is an inflammatory disease with an uncertain etiology.
It mainly affects the spine and can lead to posture impairment and inflammatory effects.
Early symptoms include bone marrow edema in the vertebrae, while later symptoms involve destructive areas known as Romanus lesions and squaring of the vertebral corpus.
Syndesmophytes develop as a result of calcification in the outer fibers in the annulus fibrosus.

Degenerative Disc Disease:

DDD is an age-related degenerative condition caused by the wearing off of intervertebral discs.
It usually affects the lower back and neck, with pain ranging from mild to severe and possibly worsening as you sit, bend, lift, or twist.
Pain can also spread to the buttocks, thighs, arms, and hands.
DDD can lead to weakness in leg muscles or difficulty lifting the front part of the foot (foot drop).

Similarities between AS and DDD include:

Both conditions can look alike, making it difficult for doctors to differentiate between them.
Research has shown that AS is a risk factor for DDD due to its systemic effects, posture impairment, and inflammatory effects.
People with AS have a higher risk of hardened and narrow arteries (atherosclerosis), which also plays a role in DDD since arteries supply some blood to discs. -People with AS and DDD may have higher levels of enzymes that break down cartilage and tissue.

In summary, AS is an inflammatory disease that mainly affects the spine, while DDD is an age-related degenerative condition caused by the wearing off of intervertebral discs. Although they share similar symptoms, there are key differences in their causes and effects on the spine.

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What is the Difference Between Ankylosing Spondylitis and Degenerative Disc Disease?

Comparative Table: Ankylosing Spondylitis vs Degenerative Disc Disease

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and degenerative disc disease (DDD) are both conditions affecting the spine, but they have distinct differences. Here is a table comparing the two:

Feature	Ankylosing Spondylitis	Degenerative Disc Disease
Definition	AS is a type of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the spine, causing inflammation and stiffness.	DDD is an age-related degenerative condition that affects the intervertebral discs, causing them to wear down and potentially leading to pain, weakness, and restricted motion.
Cause	AS is believed to have a genetic component, with a higher prevalence in males and occurrence typically in late teens to early thirties.	DDD is primarily caused by the natural aging process, with risk factors including obesity, smoking, and injury.
Symptoms	Pain and stiffness in the lower back, neck, and hips, with reduced range of motion.	Pain in the lower back, neck, and/or extremities, with varying intensity and possible radiating pain, muscle weakness, or numbness.
Treatment	Physical therapy, medications (including NSAIDs and TNF inhibitors), and occasionally surgery.	Physical therapy, medications (including analgesics and NSAIDs), and, in more severe cases, surgery.
Association	AS is a risk factor for DDD due to posture impairment and its inflammatory effects.	There is a higher rate of disc degeneration in people with AS compared to those without the condition.

Although both conditions can cause pain and discomfort, it is essential to understand these differences to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.