Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a complex, debilitating disease with few available medical therapies in its later stages.
Methods: We reviewed current clinical approaches for caring for AS patients with an emphasis on the risks and outcomes associated with surgical intervention.
Results: It is critical to understand the natural history and surgical outcomes of patient with AS. Surgery is not without risks, as a vertebral body osteotomy is often required to re-establish spinopelvic equilibrium. However, surgery can lead to clinical improvements in pain, disability, cardiac function, respiration, digestion, and sexual activity.
Conclusion: Deformity correction for AS should be carefully considered in symptomatic patients.
Keywords: Ankylosing spondylitis; Deformity; Osteotomy; Spondyarthropathy.
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