In-patient regime for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: an appraisal of improvement in spinal mobility and the effects of corticotrophin.

Twenty-one patients with ankylosing spondylitis were admitted for two weeks bedrest, postural and mobilizing exercises. Eleven received low-dose corticotrophin and 10 received placebo injections during their admission and all were reviewed after two months. In-patient therapy resulted in significant improvements in function, early morning stiffness, spinal pain, lumbar extension and lateral flexion, finger-floor distance and wall-tragus distance. These improvements were maintained at two months. Biplanar radiography confirmed significant improvements of lumbar spine mobility in 14 male subjects studied. Less improvement occurred in neck movements and these were not maintained. There were no differences between the two treatment groups.