The Diagnosis of Marie-Strümpell Arthritis with Certain Aspects of Treatment

Rheumatoid Spondylitis

“…These include (1) tenderness (constant) on percussion and deep palpation over or just lateral to the thoracic spinous processes, (2) muscle spasm and later muscle atrophy, (3) limitation of motion of the thoracic spine, (4) girdle pains, (5) diminished chest expansion with reduc¬ tion of vital capacity, (6) (2) pain (constant) on forced motion of the cervical spine, (3) restricted motion of the neck, (4) spasm and later atrophy of the cervical muscles, (5) protruded position of the neck and (6) cervical radicu¬ lar pain (rare).…”

Spondylarthritis ankylopoetica (Spondylosis rhizomelica) combined with periferal Arthritis

“…Our own cases d o not give clear etiological indications either. Truly it is a remarkable fact that 6 from these 9 patients suffered from gonorrhoea (no's 1,3,5,6,7,9). In four of these patients the rheumatic complaints started in connection with this infection, or were aggravated by it, a fact which is very typically demonstrated in case record no 5.…”

“…Hare (1) in a recent publication once again mentioned the difficulties of early diagnosis. He devides the clinical course into three stadia:…”

Rheumatology Practice at Mayo Clinic: The First 40 Years–1920 to 1960

“…65 The Mayo Clinic staff considered spondylitis a likely variant of rheumatoid arthritis. [65][66][67][68] Because rheumatoid spondylitis usually affects young men, it was seen by those caring for soldiers in World War II. 69 Treatment at Mayo Clinic included analgesics, postural exercises to maintain an erect spine, deep breathing exercises to maintain chest cage movement, and adequate rest in a supine position on a firm bed without a pillow to avoid kyphosis if spinal fusion occurred.…”