TREATMENT OF KYPHOTIC DEFORMITY IN ANKYLOSING-SPONDYLITIS

This article reviews the available literature on the surgical options for the correction of kyphosis in ankylosing spondylitis and presents the radiologic appearance of the post-operative spine. In the postsurg ical evaluation of the spine, the focus is on appreciation of the patt erns of correction, early and late determination of angular correction , recognition of various complications (infection, nonunion, improper location, or breakage of hardware), and alertness to the possibility o f complications at all levels of the spine.