Clinical and Radiological Evaluation of the Spine Due to Rheumatoid Arthritis

104 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were studied to evaluate clinical symtoms, sign and radiographic findings of the spine. 55 of 104 fad radiographical abnormal findings in the cervical spine. In the upper cervical spine, atlanto-axial sublixation, vertical subluxation, odontoid erosion and other findings were found in many cases. Instability index and minimal sagittal diameter of the canal was also related to development of myelopathy. In the thoracic and lumber regions back pain was the frequent symptom, and osteoporosis, narrowing of the disc, erosin of apophyseal joints and compressive deformity of the vertebral bodies were the common findings found in radiography. Symptoms and findings arising from the thoracic and lmber spine were not rarer than that they were thought before. But it is still difficult to define these symptoms and findings due to arthritis changes.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Spine

Neck pain

Cervical myelopathy

Subluxation of the spine