Q I am a woman in my 20s living in Dongincheon. I have persistent sacroiliac joint pain; is this related to ankylosing spondylitis?
A Sacroiliac joint pain is one of the earliest symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis. The typical course involves inflammation starting in the sacroiliac joint and gradually spreading upward to the lumbar and thoracic spine. Since symptoms in women are often milder or atypical than in men, leading to delayed diagnosis, professional medical attention is necessary. We recommend undergoing differential diagnosis via MRI, X-ray, and blood tests (HLA-B27, CRP).
Detailed Answer
Inflammation in ankylosing spondylitis begins in the sacroiliac joint (SI joint) in approximately 90% of cases. Initially, it is often mistaken for dull pain in the buttocks or sacrum area, but a diagnosis is made once bone marrow edema is confirmed on an MRI. Female patients tend to have relatively more extra-spinal symptoms, such as peripheral arthritis and uveitis, and sacroiliac lesions are often more dominant than spinal stiffness. Elevated CRP and ESR levels are utilized as activity indicators.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine, the sacroiliac joint is a critical location where the midline of the spine intersects with the pathway flowing down the back of the leg. Blockage of Qi and blood in this area is linked to a disease progression where cold energy easily settles and stiffens the joints when the warm energy of the kidneys is deficient. Women, in particular, may become more vulnerable in this area as menstruation and childbirth deplete the Qi and blood in the pathway flowing from the lower abdomen to the chest. At Dongjedang, we restore Qi and blood circulation by releasing adhesions in the muscles and tendons surrounding the sacroiliac joint through ultrasound-guided acupuncture, and break the cycle of symptom recurrence by creating an environment for the recovery of surrounding joint tissues through internal treatment that nourishes the liver and kidneys.
Related FAQs
-
Q
Can I continue working even with ankylosing spondylitis? I have an office job and have to sit all day.
#Possibility / Realistic Goals
-
Q
I am a female patient with ankylosing spondylitis and am planning to get pregnant. How should I manage treatment during pregnancy?
#Possibility / Realistic Goals
-
Q
Does having ankylosing spondylitis cause uveitis or intestinal diseases? Does it affect other organs as well?
#Comorbidities
-
Q
I have ankylosing spondylitis. What kind of exercise is good? Is it okay to lift heavy objects or run?
#Lifestyle Management
-
Q
Do patients with ankylosing spondylitis need to pay attention to their sleeping posture? Is the choice of pillow or mattress important?
#Lifestyle Management