What should you know about cervical spine surgery with rheumatoid arthritis?
Cervical spine surgery may be recommended when RA has caused significant damage to the joints in your neck (C1 and C2). Around 80 percent of people with RA show signs of cervical spine inflammation, which can lead to pain at the base of the skull Show Full Answer
What should you know about cervical spine surgery with rheumatoid arthritis?
Cervical spine surgery may be recommended when RA has caused significant damage to the joints in your neck (C1 and C2). Around 80 percent of people with RA show signs of cervical spine inflammation, which can lead to pain at the base of the skull, headaches, pins-and-needles sensations in your hands or feet, and limited mobility.
Surgery is typically considered a last resort after other treatments haven't worked. The most common procedure is spinal fusion, where a surgeon removes the affected joint and fuses adjacent vertebrae together using metal rods, screws, or a bone graft.
While this surgery decreases your range of motion, it can help prevent RA from progressing further into the spine and reduce pain. Recovery may require several days in rehab, so be sure to discuss recovery times with your healthcare provider beforehand.
Some myRAteam members have had to stop their RA medications before surgery, which caused flare-ups. One member shared, "The surgery was the easy part, but having to go off my RA medications before surgery caused the worst flare ever."
Work closely with your healthcare team to determine if cervical spine surgery is right for you based on your symptoms, goals, and level of joint damage.
January 19
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