Spondylitis Treatment Cost in India

Spondylitis treatment in India typically ranges from $500 to $6,000 USD, depending on the hospital, city, and type of procedure.

'Spondylitis' usually refers to ankylosing spondylitis, a long-term inflammatory condition of the spine and other joints. It is a type of axial spondyloarthritis. (It is different from spondylosis, which is wear-and-tear arthritis of the spine.) Cost depends on:

• Diagnosis: blood tests, X-ray or MRI of the sacroiliac joints and spine.
• Medicines: anti-inflammatories and, for active disease, biological treatments.
• Exercise and physiotherapy: the foundation of treatment.
• Surgery: rarely, for badly damaged joints or severe spinal curvature.

The NHS notes it usually first develops in teenagers and young adults. Common features:

• Back pain and stiffness: often worse in the morning and eased by activity.
• Joint and tendon inflammation: elsewhere in the body.
• Extreme tiredness
• HLA-B27: a gene variant linked to the condition.

Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis is similar, but changes show on MRI rather than X-ray.

There is no cure, and existing damage cannot be reversed, but treatment aims to relieve symptoms and slow progression. The NHS lists:

• Exercise: individually or in groups, to reduce pain and stiffness.
• Physiotherapy: to improve comfort and spinal flexibility.
• Medicines: painkillers, anti-TNF and other biological therapies.
• Surgery: uncommon, for damaged joints or severe spinal curvature.

The NHS notes that with modern treatment, AS generally does not significantly shorten life expectancy, but it is linked to:

• Osteoporosis and spinal fractures: a fall can cause a fracture in a stiff spine.
• Cardiovascular disease: so blood pressure and cholesterol checks matter.
• Eye inflammation: a painful red eye needs prompt attention.

Biological medicines can often be continued at home with a rheumatologist's plan after an assessment in India.