Rheumatoid disease of the spine

912 Atlantoaxial Joint

Rheumatoid disease of the spine is a chronic inflammatory disorder that primarily affects the spine, particularly the cervical spine. It is a manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints and can lead to severe pain and disability.

Pathophysiology

Rheumatoid disease of the spine occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial lining of the joints in the spine. This leads to inflammation, which can cause the destruction of cartilage, bone, and ligaments. The cervical spine is most commonly affected, but the thoracic and lumbar regions can also be involved.

Symptoms

The symptoms of rheumatoid disease of the spine can vary but often include:

• Chronic neck pain
• Stiffness, particularly in the morning
• Limited range of motion
• Neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs due to nerve compression

Diagnosis

Diagnosis typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and laboratory tests. Common diagnostic tools include:

• X-rays
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computed tomography (CT) scans
• Blood tests for rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies

Treatment

Treatment for rheumatoid disease of the spine aims to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and prevent further joint damage. Common treatment options include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
• Biologic response modifiers
• Physical therapy
• Surgical intervention in severe cases

Complications

If left untreated, rheumatoid disease of the spine can lead to serious complications such as:

• Spinal instability
• Spinal cord compression
• Permanent neurological deficits

Related Pages

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Cervical spine
• Autoimmune disease
• Inflammation
• Joint pain

Rheumatologic diseases

Arthritis is often used to refer to any disorder that affects the joints. Rheumatic diseases usually affect joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles. Rheumatologic diseases usually affect joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles.

Connective Tissue Diseases

Rheumatology and	Connective Tissue Diseases
Ankylosing spondylitis	Arthritis
Arthritis and Rheumatic diseases	Autoimmune diseases
Autoinflammatory diseases	Behçet’s disease
Bursitis	Giant cell arteritis
Gout	Juvenile arthritis
Knee problems	Lupus
Osteoarthritis	Polymyalgia rheumatica
Psoriatic arthritis	Reactive arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis	Scleroderma
Sjögren’s syndrome	Systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus)
Tendinitis	Rheumatologic diseases