How to Exercise with Spondylitis?

The exercise for vertebral laminitis mainly focuses on strengthening the lumbar muscles, such as swimming and sleeping on a hard bed. Vertebral laminitis is a condition where the bone epiphysis plates on the upper and lower surfaces of the vertebral body ossify to form bone plates after cessation of growth and development, creating a slightly concave bone terminal plate. The center of the vertebral terminal plate is still covered by a thin layer of transparent cartilage, known as the cartilaginous terminal plate, which persists throughout life. The upper and lower cartilaginous terminal plates connect with the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus to form the intervertebral disc. Simply put, it is a layer of space between the vertebral bone and the intervertebral disc. Prevention of vertebral laminitis and treatment outside of the acute phase mainly involve correcting lifestyle habits and rehabilitation exercises. It is recommended to avoid sitting for extended periods as sitting places the greatest pressure on the spinal column, which can exacerbate the condition. The primary focus of exercise should be on strengthening the lumbar muscles to stabilize the spine, and activities such as swimming and sleeping on a hard bed can be beneficial. It is important to remember that exercises should not increase the pressure on the spinal column. During the acute phase, anti-inflammatory and analgesic medication may be prescribed. Vertebral laminitis is classified into three types based on MRI findings: (1) Type I, degenerative lumbar discs causing edema in adjacent cancellous bone, characterized by low signal on T1 and high signal on T2; (2) Type II, fat infiltration in adjacent vertebral bodies, characterized by high signal on T1 and moderate or slightly high signal on T2; (3) Type III, fibrosis and calcification in adjacent vertebral bodies, characterized by low signals on both T1 and T2.