@A MySpondylitisTeam Member. Instead of focusing on the diagnostic terminology, why not focus more on what you can feasibly actually DO about it. Kind of like the old saying, "a snake by any other name is still a snake". Whether or not you can and are willing to do about the snake is a personal matter.
So many symptoms, so many ways to treat each one. Symptoms overlap in all the conditions. Fusions, not much, if anything, can be done after the fact. Beforeyour veryebra self fuse, if theyre even going to, you can get fusion surgery to hope to ensure they fuse in the best possible alignment. According to the 4 surgeons whom I consulted, fusion surgery will lead to further fusion surgeries at a more rapid rate due to the added load on the vertebra above and below the fusion. Opting for fusion surgery is sometimes a necessity sooner rather than later, as in Lola2's recent experiences with an accident that caused spiraling fractures in her vertebra, or something like that. Read her timeline this year.
Fusion because of pain and stiffness is not going to bring you much less pain and stiffness, even if you have stenosis. Inflammation will still cause stenosis and inflammation will absolutely occur from surgery.
Ive been dealing with the spine surgery question for about 13 years now. After reading about and consulting others here i have decided that i will only have spine surgery to preserve basic bodily functions like breathing, eating, going to the bathroom on my own in the bathroom toilet on time, walking and talking. Now im facing that despite my best efforts. The disease name is not important.
Brian2 here was very helpful to me in my decision processes for spine surgery. Read his story and timeline. When he's up to it, he provides significantly helpful experienced advice. Yours in better health P 😌🙏

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A MySpond...

Since I also have osteoarthritis, it is not clear whether Spondylitis or osteoarthritis is the primary cause of the swelling, pain, fusions, spurs. My left hand is swollen, and both hands hurt and 'stick' when opening them - osteoarthritis. Osteo can cause fusions & spurs, also. So-yeah, muddy water is what I'm looking through.