The calcaneus in ankylosing spondylitis. A radiographic study of 43 patients

A prospective study analysing the radiological findings of calcaneus bone in ankylosing spondylitis is presented. It includes 43 patients with a relatively low mean age (33.5 years). The morphology of their lesions correlated with disease duration. Abnormal radiological findings were observed in 63% of the patients and in 58% of the radiographs, but in only 3 of 20 normal subjects. Erosive lesions were more frequently found in early stages, whereas sclerotic and proliferative lesions were typical of advanced stages of the disease. Only one patient suffered relevant local pain. No clinico-radiological correlation could be established.