Question 1

what is the difference between having a bulging disk and a herniated disk?

Accepted Answer

Size: Bulging discs are normal findings on imaging studies while disc herniations are discs that have moved out of there normal position. Disc bulges do not cause symptoms.  A disc herniation is an actual passage of the disc's inner core or nucleus passing thru the outer part or annulus of the disc where a disc bulge does not result in any part if the disc out of its normal alignment of material.

Question 2

what is the difference between ankylosing spondylitis and spondylolisthesis?

Accepted Answer

Inflammatory v degen: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine, pelvis, and sometimes the peripheral joints as well.  Spondylolisthesis is a degenerative change in the spine that allows one vertebra to slide out of alignment with the one next to it.  These conditions are treated differently.

Question 3

what is the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis?

Accepted Answer

Difference: They are both rheumatologic conditions, however RA usually has detectable blood markers suggesting joint degeneration in specific patterns as a result of a hyperactive immune response. Ankylosing spondylitis is usually negative for blood markers, but associated with hla b27 antigen. It causes inflammation in the joints of the axial skeleton resulting in fusion of the sacroiliac and spinal segments.

Question 4

what is the difference between spinal stenosis and ankylosing spondylitis?

Accepted Answer

A great deal: Spinal stenosis refers to the width of the spinal canal that one is born with  ankylosing spondylitis ia a rheumatological condition.

Question 5

dear doctor, please let me know what is the difference between multiple sclerosis and spondylitis. thank you?

Accepted Answer

Big difference: Spondylitis would be inflamation in the spine like in ankylosing spondolitis ( marie strumpel's disease)
where as multiple sclerosis is a neurologic disorder of the brain.

Question 6

how do docs tell the difference between regular degenerative changes in facet joints and ankylosing spondylitis or autoimmune on imagine(mri, xrays etc?

Accepted Answer

See below: Each have distinct finding by x-rays.  A MRI is even better.  With contrast on a mri, you can detect whether ankylosing spondylitis is active or not and it can detect early changes unlike a x-ray which may not have changes early on x-ray.  A MRI with contrast can also distinguish whether or not anylosing spondylitis is present in the setting of osteoarthritis of the spine.

Question 7

please help! what is the difference between reiter's syndrome and ankylosing spondilitis?

Accepted Answer

Very similar: These are both associated with the same genetic predisposition and are really just variants of the same disease. They are lumped into a disease category known as seronegative spondyloarthropathies so there is major overlap. If your issues are confined to the spine you can call it ank spondy. It you have urinary issues and a peripheral arthritis without back pain you can call it reiters.

Question 8

can minimal spondylitis at l3-4 indicate disc herniation?

Accepted Answer

Different things: Spondylitis is inflammation of the vertebral body, or bony part of the spine and disc go between them, so they are separate structures.  So spondylitis can't cause disc herniation.

Question 9

i've heard ankylosing spondylitis presentation at onset is very different in women than men. please can you explain the differences. thank you. ?

Accepted Answer

A little different: We don`t know the exact reason but ankylosing spondylitis is less common in women and in general less severe.  But treatment is the same. Incidentally lupus is less frequent in men and generally less severe. BUT both sexes can still have severe disease.

Question 10

i quit swimming 1.5 yrs ago due to pain from degenerated discs + spondylitis. my back hurts after only 2 10 min swims. do i have to give up swimming?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily: Have you tried pool aerobics/exercises? Good exercise without stressing joints; any exercises that hurt back could be modified or eliminated.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Difference between slip disc and spondylitis

A member asked:

What is the difference between having a bulging disk and a herniated disk?

A member asked:

What is the difference between ankylosing spondylitis and spondylolisthesis?

A member asked:

What is the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis?

A member asked:

What is the difference between spinal stenosis and ankylosing spondylitis?

A member asked:

Dear doctor, please let me know what is the difference between multiple sclerosis and spondylitis. thank you?

A member asked:

How do docs tell the difference between regular degenerative changes in facet joints and ankylosing spondylitis or autoimmune on imagine(mri, xrays etc?

A member asked:

Please help! what is the difference between reiter's syndrome and ankylosing spondilitis?

A member asked:

Can minimal spondylitis at l3-4 indicate disc herniation?

A member asked:

I've heard ankylosing spondylitis presentation at onset is very different in women than men. please can you explain the differences. thank you. ?

A member asked:

I quit swimming 1.5 yrs ago due to pain from degenerated discs + spondylitis. my back hurts after only 2 10 min swims. do i have to give up swimming?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?