PHYSIOTHERAPY IN ANKYLOSING-SPONDYLITIS R ELATED TO LOCOMOTORY FUNCTION

Physiotherapy is a key factor in effecting decisive positive changes i n the course of ankylosing spondylitis. Most important is the accurate assessment of functional deficits of spine and joints because it prov es an essential basis for all physiotherapeutic strategies. This appli es especially for group exercises where the individual patient usually can only be dealt with summarily. Functional capacity of lumbar spine flexion and, more important, lumbar extension - assessed loaded or un loaded in order to evaluate whether loaded flexion/extension can possi bly correct unloaded - will lead to graduation of patients deficits. P athomechanics and pathodynamics of the course of ankylosing spondyliti s and functional graduation as prerequisite for a patient orientated p hysiotherapy are presented. Some exercises for individual patients as well as group therapy are described for demonstration of these conside rations.