Do postural changes affect balance in patients with ankylosing spondylitis?
Elif Balevi Batur, Gülçin Kaymak Karataş
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Keciören Research and Training Hospital, 06010 Ankara, Turkey. E-mail: elifbalevi@hotmail.com
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2230
Lay Abstract
Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic disease which leads to kyphosis. This kyphosis results in difficulty in looking upwards, decreased visual field, and limitation in daily activities such as communication, driving, going outside, and/or performing personal hygiene. The postural malalignment makes it difficult for the body to assume and maintain optimal position. Consequently, impairment in balance and falls may occur. In this study, we investigated the impact of postural changes on balance with clinical balance tests and postural sway in ankylosing spondylitis patients. Understanding the mechanism of ankylosing spondylitis’ affect on balance may improve our treatment algorithm, and, thus, prophylactic exercises can be developed to prevent falls
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