Pseudoarthrosis in ankylosing spondylitis.

Figure 1 Pelvic radiograph shows fusion of both sacro-iliac joints. Whiskering is present at both ischial tuberosities and rami (arrowheads). Irregularity and sclerosis of the lesser trochanters are arrowed. Hipjoints are concentrically narrowed. chronic low back pain and stiffness, of gradual onset, for 10 years. He was living in China previously, receiving herbal applications and pain killers without relief. There were no peripheral joint symptoms. On examination, the patient had loss of normal lumbar lordosis. The thoracic and lumbar spine were completely stiff, with tenderness on percussion of the thoraco-lumbar junction. Chest expansion was reduced but the shoulders, hips and other peripheral joints showed satisfactory ranges of movement.