Der Orthopäde
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The term axial spondyloarthritis covers patients with established structural changes visible on x-ray in sacroiliac joints and/or in the spine (classical ankylosing spondylitis) but also patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in whom early inflammatory signs of the disease can only be visualized with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI technique plays an important role in the diagnosis of this disease and an early diagnosis is normally based on a combination of clinical, laboratory and imaging parameters. Only non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and TNF-α blockers are effective in the treatment of axial spondyloarthritis. Patients with short disease duration and elevated acute phase reactant levels demonstrate best therapy response and, therefore, should be closely followed-up and consistently treated.
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The most common joint destructive chronic inflammatory diseases in orthopedic rheumatology are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthropathy. They usually have a multilocular, characteristic progressive joint destructive course, which must be taken into account when planning surgical treatment. ⋯ The choice of surgical procedure depends on the joint, the surrounding soft tissues and stage of destruction but the increased surgical risk and complications caused by the disease, specific medications and frequent comorbidities also have to be considered. Due to numerous perioperative characteristics close interdisciplinary cooperation especially with internist rheumatologists, anesthetists and physiotherapists is essential for a successful rheumatologic orthopedic therapy.