Posterior surgical treatment for the rheumatoid cervical spine.

Twenty-six patients with rheumatoid disease affecting the cervical spine underwent surgical treatment for neck pain, neurological deficit, or both. Atlantoaxial subluxation (n=13), subaxial subluxation (n=7) and vertical migration of the odontoid (n=6) were treated. Arthrodesis with autologous bone was augmented with wire, Ransford loop, Hartshill rectangle or Magerl technique.