Clinical output of the rheumatoid cervical spine in patients with mutilating-type joint involvement: for better activities of daily living and longer survival.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objective: To gain an insight for the final clinical output of surgically managed cervical lesions in seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with mutilating-type joint involvement (mutilating-RA patients), these patients was followed up until either death or complete bedridden.

Summary Of Background Data: There has been no study reporting the final clinical output of surgically managed cervical lesion in mutilating-RA patients.

Evaluation of posterior long fusion versus conservative treatment for the progressive rheumatoid cervical spine.

Study Design: Results of the posterior long fusion performed for the progressive cervical lesions of rheumatoid arthritis were compared with the outcomes of those who did not undergo surgical treatment.

Objective: To provide a clue as to whether posterior long fusion improves or maintains the impaired daily life activity of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis with progressive, mutilating-type joint involvements.

Summary Of Background Data: To provide optimal treatments for the cervical lesions of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the natural courses of cervical lesions should be taken into account.