DISLOCATION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE WITH CORD COMPRESSION IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Authors:
  • KMK. A. E. Meijers
    K. A. E. Meijers
  • GBG. Th. Van Beusekom
    G. Th. Van Beusekom
  • WLW. Luyendijk
    W. Luyendijk
  • FDF. Duijfjes
    F. Duijfjes
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Abstract
1. The treatment is described of a consecutive series of fourteen patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis causing a slip of the cervical vertebrae, mainly at the C.1-2 level, and a cord lesion. 2. The importance of a change of symptoms and signs in these patients, especially the occurrence of the so-called "alarm signs", is stressed. 3. In twelve patients the combination of this kind of cervical instability with a cord lesion was treated by fusion, most frequently of occiput to C.2 and 3. 4. In the eleven patients who survived the operation the results with a follow-up period of one to eight years are considered highly gratifying. 5. Technical details and various problems associated with treatment are discussed.