In an emergency, time and accuracy are of the essence. Though that is true for everyone, those with spondyloarthritis have an especially pressing need for emergency preparedness.
Fusion in the spine, combined with an increased risk of osteoporosis, puts many with spondyloarthritis at 11 times greater risk of spinal fracture.
Possible spinal fusion, combined with an increased risk of osteoporosis, means that even minor falls and jolts may fracture the spine. More so, standard treatment and handling protocols used by first responders in emergency settings can cause severe injury and disability in those with spondyloarthritis.
Read on for tips for ensuring that emergency medical providers will have the information they need to provide the safest and most effective care in an emergency situation, even if you are unconscious and can’t communicate that you have spondyloarthritis.