Great question! "Spondylarthrose" (the French term) generally refers to degenerative changes in the spine — more like wear and tear. "Spondylarthrite" (spondylitis/spondyloarthritis) is an inflammatory, autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, causing ongoing inflammation.
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Great question! "Spondylarthrose" (the French term) generally refers to degenerative changes in the spine — more like wear and tear. "Spondylarthrite" (spondylitis/spondyloarthritis) is an inflammatory, autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, causing ongoing inflammation.
These are quite different, though they can sometimes overlap or be confused. Regarding the "undefined immune disease" question — spondyloarthritis is actually considered both autoimmune AND autoinflammatory. It doesn't fit perfectly into one category, which can make classification tricky. This may explain why some members feel their immune condition seems "undefined."
Key points about spondyloarthritis as an immune condition:
- The immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue
- A genetic marker called HLA-B27 is often associated with it
- Abnormal immune proteins (MHC-I) are thought to trigger the condition
- It causes chronic, ongoing inflammation Regarding neuropathic (nerve) sensitivity — people with spondyloarthritis experience neuropathic pain at roughly three times the rate of the general population, so this is very much a recognized part of living with the condition.
It would be really worth discussing with a rheumatologist to clarify whether the diagnosis is degenerative or inflammatory, as treatments differ significantly. 😊
June 17
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