Rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine

The synovitis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) injures structures in the cervical spine, allowing atlantoaxial subluxation, atlantoaxial impaction, and subaxial subluxation. Spinal cord and vertebral artery injury can ensue. Subluxations are common, but neurologic abnormalities are less so. Patients wit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inClinical orthopaedics and related research no. 182; p. 143
Main Author Lipson, S J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.01.1984
Subjects
Arthritis, Rheumatoid - complications
Arthritis, Rheumatoid - diagnostic imaging
Arthritis, Rheumatoid - therapy
Atlanto-Axial Joint - injuries
Cervical Vertebrae - diagnostic imaging
Humans
Joint Dislocations - etiology
Joint Instability - etiology
Orthotic Devices
Radiography
Spinal Fusion
Traction
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Summary:The synovitis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) injures structures in the cervical spine, allowing atlantoaxial subluxation, atlantoaxial impaction, and subaxial subluxation. Spinal cord and vertebral artery injury can ensue. Subluxations are common, but neurologic abnormalities are less so. Patients with RA can die from subluxations but usually do not, although many become worse with time. Nonsurgical management is supportive and designed to lessen pain. Neurologic abnormality is the major indication for surgery. Preoperative skeletal traction is often needed. Posterior fusion is most commonly done for stabilization.
ISSN:0009-921X
DOI:10.1097/00003086-198401000-00018