Back Pain & Spondyloarthritis Explained | Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Welcome to the Back Pain & Spondyloarthritis playlist from Pure Rheumatology London, where Dr Naveen Bhadauria, Consultant Rheumatologist, explains the different causes of back pain, inflammatory spinal conditions, their diagnosis and modern treatment options. Back pain is extremely common, but not all back pain is the same. While most cases are caused by mechanical problems involving muscles, discs or joints, some people experience inflammatory back pain, which may be caused by conditions such as axial spondyloarthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. Recognising the difference between mechanical and inflammatory back pain is important because early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can significantly improve symptoms, mobility and quality of life. What Will You Learn in This Playlist? Our educational videos cover: ✅ Inflammatory Back Pain vs Mechanical Back Pain – Understand the key differences, including morning stiffness, night pain, improvement with movement and symptoms that worsen with rest. ✅ Ankylosing Spondylitis Explained – Learn about this chronic inflammatory condition affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints, including symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. ✅ Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) – Understand the differences between radiographic and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and why diagnosis can sometimes be delayed. ✅ Early Signs of Inflammatory Back Pain – Recognise warning signs such as persistent lower back pain beginning at a younger age, prolonged morning stiffness, alternating buttock pain and improvement with exercise. ✅ HLA-B27 Blood Test Explained – Discover what a positive HLA-B27 result means, its association with spondyloarthritis and why a positive result does not automatically confirm the diagnosis. ✅ MRI Scans and Sacroiliitis – Learn how MRI scans and X-rays can help identify inflammation affecting the sacroiliac joints and spine. ✅ Psoriatic Arthritis and Spinal Inflammation – Understand how psoriatic arthritis can affect the spine, joints and tendons. ✅ Mechanical Back Pain and Degenerative Changes – Explore common causes of back pain, including degenerative disc disease, facet joint arthritis and age-related spinal changes. ✅ Treatments for Ankylosing Spondylitis – Understand the role of exercise, physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), biologic therapies and targeted treatments. ✅ Living with Spondyloarthritis – Discover practical strategies to maintain spinal mobility, improve posture, manage stiffness and support long-term joint health. Why Is Early Diagnosis Important? Inflammatory back pain is frequently mistaken for ordinary mechanical back pain, sometimes resulting in significant delays before a diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis is established. Symptoms often begin before the age of 45 and may include back pain lasting longer than three months, morning stiffness, night pain and improvement with physical activity. Some patients may also experience associated conditions such as psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease or uveitis (inflammation inside the eye). Importantly, a positive HLA-B27 blood test does not mean you definitely have ankylosing spondylitis, and a negative result does not exclude axial spondyloarthritis. Diagnosis requires careful assessment of symptoms, examination findings, blood tests and appropriate imaging. With modern treatments, many patients can achieve good control of inflammation, improve mobility and maintain an active lifestyle. About Pure Rheumatology London Dr Naveen Bhadauria is a Consultant Rheumatologist and founder of Pure Rheumatology London, providing specialist assessment and management of inflammatory back pain, axial spondyloarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and other rheumatological conditions. Our aim is to provide clear, trustworthy and evidence-based information to help patients understand their symptoms, investigations and treatment options. Whether you have persistent back pain, have recently been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, have a positive HLA-B27 blood test or are concerned about inflammatory spinal disease, this playlist is designed to help you better understand your condition. 🌐 Website: purerheumatologylondon.co.uk 📍 Private rheumatology consultations available in London and surrounding areas. Subscribe to Pure Rheumatology London for regular educational videos covering inflammatory arthritis, back pain, autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis and modern rheumatology treatments. Disclaimer: These videos are for general educational purposes and do not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from your healthcare professional. #BackPain #InflammatoryBackPain #AnkylosingSpondylitis #AxialSpondyloarthritis #HLAB27 #Sacroiliitis #PsoriaticArthritis #Rheumatology #PureRheumatologyLondon