Raja

• Cervical spine


  Part of the spine in the neck region
• Cervical spine instability


  Abnormal movement or instability in the cervical spine
• Atraumatic cervical spine instability

  • Can occur in Down syndrome
  • Can occur in rheumatoid arthritis
• Atlanto-axial (C1/C2) instability


  Instability between the first and second cervical vertebrae
• Atlanto-axial instability in Down syndrome


  Can cause subluxation potentially causing spinal cord compression
• Minor degrees of atlanto-axial instability in Down syndrome


  May prevent participation in high impact/contact sports
• Severe atlanto-axial instability or abnormal neurology in Down syndrome


  May require surgical stabilization
• Atlanto-axial subluxation in rheumatoid arthritis


  Occurs due to destruction of the synovial joint between the atlas and the dens and rupture of the transverse ligament
• Atlanto-axial subluxation in rheumatoid arthritis


  Can result in cord compression which can be fatal
• Less severe atlanto-axial subluxation in rheumatoid arthritis


  May be treated with a collar to prevent flexion
• More severe atlanto-axial subluxation in rheumatoid arthritis


  May require surgical fusion
• Lower cervical subluxations in rheumatoid arthritis

  Occur due to destruction of the synovial facet joints and uncovertebral joints
• Lower cervical subluxations in rheumatoid arthritis


  Can result in cord compression (myelopathy) with upper motor neuron signs
• Severe lower cervical subluxations in rheumatoid arthritis


  May require stabilization/fusion
• Measurements of cervical spine instability are taken from flexion-extension x-rays