Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease which most frequently affects the sacroiliac joints of young men, and also the synovial joints of the whole spine. Bony fusion of these joints and ossification along the longitudinal ligaments lead to total immobility of the vertebrae resulting limitation of motion and respiratory insufficiency. We assessed the effects of rehabilitation management in ankylosing spondylitis. Thirty three patients treated at Young-dong Severance Hospital from October, 1984, to July, 1993 were analysed clinically.

The lower the spinal level, the more restricted spinal mobility was found. And there were significant improvements in finger to floor distance, occiput to wall distance, Schober index, chest expansion and vital capacity by comprehensive rehabilitative management.

According to the above results, we concluded that intensive rehabilitative management including patient education was very helpful in increasing spinal flexibility and therefore preventing further disability in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.