Accelerated development of cervical spine instabilities in rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective minimum 5-year cohort study.

Objective: To clarify the incidence and predictive risk factors of cervical spine instabilities which may induce compression myelopathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Three types of cervical spine instability were radiographically categorized into "moderate" and "severe" based on atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS: atlantodental interval >3 mm versus ≥10 mm), vertical subluxation (VS: Ranawat value <13 mm versus ≤10 mm), and subaxial subluxation (SAS: irreducible translation ≥2 mm versus ≥4 mm or at multiple). 228 "definite" or "classical" RA patients (140 without instability and 88 with "moderate" instability) were prospectively followed for >5 years.

Incidence and aggravation of cervical spine instabilities in rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective minimum 5-year follow-up study of patients initially without cervical involvement.

Study Design: A prospective minimum 5-year follow-up study of the cervical spine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) initially without cervical involvement.

Objective: To clarify the incidence and aggravation of cervical spine instabilities and their predictive risk factors in patients with RA.

Summary Of Background Data: Many reports have shown the progression of cervical spine involvement in RA.

Short-term outcome of finger joint synovectomy in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) frequently affects finger joints, and persistent synovitis is believed to cause not only bone destruction but also various deformities of the fingers in the long run. Synovectomy of the finger joints is carried out when chronic swelling of the synovium does not respond to any conservative treatment with medication and rehabilitation. In the present study the short-term results of finger joint synovectomy in RA were reviewed in 49 finger joints.

Progression of cervical spine instabilities in rheumatoid arthritis: a prospective cohort study of outpatients over 5 years.

Study Design: A 5-year prospective cohort study of cervical spine instabilities in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OBJECTIVE.: To clarify the natural course of cervical instabilities in RA patients and to determine predictors for the prognosis of RA cervical spine.

Total knee arthroplasty for rheumatoid knee with bilateral, severe flexion contracture: report of three cases.

The treatment of patients with severe flexion contracture of the rheumatoid knee, deprived of ambulation for long periods of time, is challenging. Based on three cases, we indicate the potential risks of posterior dislocation of the knee after total knee arthroplasty. In this pathological condition, surgeons must carefully select the type of implant in order to avoid this serious complication.