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Anyone else suffer with neck pain? Did you have X-rays? What other tests did you have? Was it RA related? How was it treated?

A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
Frankfort, KY
June 10
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A myRAteam Member

Greta: Has your rheumatologist said anything about ankylosing spondylitis? I’ve had SI joint issues in recent years, which they say is a symptom. A steroid injection helped that. I just cringe thinking about shots in my neck. Weird, I’m willing to get a shot in my butt, but not the neck? Guess I’ll have to possibly get over that. As I’ve said, I think my symptoms have been around for years, individual specialists I’ve seen just didn’t put all of them together.

June 10
A myRAteam Member

Oh my, Denise! I’m so sorry. I haven’t been able to look around for years. I have a back up camera that helps and I have others in my car do a more thorough look! Not good, but you have to improvise!

June 10
A myRAteam Member

Hi Jennie
I have had neck pain for years . They finally tried nerve ablation, where they burn out the nerve pocket. I found this to be extremely painful. My heart stopped for 3 minutes. Once I was back in the recovery room, they told me never ever would they do any ablation on me. So now when I drive I have to twist my body from my hip up to do a shoulder check . But the surgery coming in August or September will place 8 rods into my lower spine. Thus my driving days are numbered.
Take care hugs

June 10
A myRAteam Member

I have neck pain due to RA. I had a MRI that showed that my neck vertebrae are fusing on their own.
Sometimes I have problems turning my head to the left. I can feel it grinding when I turn my head. I have had steroid injections, epidural injections, etc. I could not tell any difference. I use ice packs or my heated neck and shoulder pad. I do simple neck and shoulder exercises trying to get mobility.

June 10
myRAteam

Neck pain is actually a really common experience for people with RA — so you're definitely not alone in this! While RA is best known for affecting the hands, wrists, and knees, it can affect almost any joint, including those in the neck (cervical spine).

In fact, around 80% of people with RA show signs of cervical spine Show Full Answer

Neck pain is actually a really common experience for people with RA — so you're definitely not alone in this! While RA is best known for affecting the hands, wrists, and knees, it can affect almost any joint, including those in the neck (cervical spine).

In fact, around 80% of people with RA show signs of cervical spine inflammation. The pain is often described as dull, throbbing, or aching, and can be constant. As one myRAteam member shared, their neck hurts "every day and night" but is particularly bad "in the middle of the night." Is it RA-related?

To find out if neck pain is RA-related, doctors typically use a combination of:

- Physical exam — checking range of motion and areas of pain
- Blood tests — looking for rheumatoid factor and other RA markers
- Imaging tests — X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to check for inflammation and joint damage

X-rays are a useful starting point but may miss early inflammation. MRI is considered the most sensitive imaging test and can detect synovitis (joint lining inflammation), bone erosion, and fluid buildup. Ultrasound is another option, especially helpful if blood tests come back normal. How is RA-related neck pain treated?

Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms, but common approaches include:

- NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or naproxen) to reduce pain and inflammation
- DMARDs (like methotrexate) or biologics to slow disease progression
- Steroid injections or nerve blocks for flare-ups — one myRAteam member shared that a cortisone shot "really eased the pain to a bearable stage"
- Physical therapy to strengthen muscles and improve range of motion
- Heat therapy — a heated neck wrap was recommended by a myRAteam member as helpful when "pain is out of control"
- Surgery (spinal fusion) in severe cases where significant damage has occurred

Always work closely with your rheumatologist to find the right combination of treatments for your situation.

June 10

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