Cervical Spine Pathology Rheumatoid Arthritis Sub-axial Subluxation rheumatologist multimedia. Subaxial subluxation occurs when erosion of the facet joints, intervertebral discs and interspinous ligaments of the third to seventh cervical vertebrae leads to slipping and mal-alignment between adjacent vertebrae. This happens in up to 20% of rheumatoid spondylitis patients, and can occur at multiple levels, producing a stepladder deformity of adjacent vertebra.

While neck pain is seen in up to 90% of people with rheumatoid spondylitis, only a third develop nerve impairment due to pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves. Spinal cord or nerve compression are the main reasons for surgery, which is used to remove the tissues compressing the nerves and return the spinal alignment to normal. See this rheumatologist multimedia.

Cervical Spine Pathology Rheumatoid Arthritis Sub-axial Subluxation rheumatologist multimedia