Radiology and spondylarthritis

Radiographs are characteristically required to define the nature of the disease process in spondylarthritis. They need rarely be repeated, except for complications or unusual manifestations of the underlying disease. To date, new techniques of radio-imaging have provided only minimal advantages, if any. (Berkowitz et al, 1991; Docherty et al, 1992; Gibbon, 1992; Ralston et al, 1992; Deyo, 1994; Jensen et al, 1994). The plain radiograph is still pivotal to our understanding of the disease.