Arthritis of the cervical spine

Neck pain often occurs in the absence of neurologic findings, and the diagnostic dilemma of the clinician is to determine if there is a definable lesion. Radiographically, the cervical spine is commonly involved, especially in persons older than 50 years. Excluding soft-tissue inflammation and spasm, osteoarthritis is the most common rheumatic disease of the cervical spine. Radiculopathy and myelopathic involvement from disk, foraminal, or spinal canal impingement are all sequelae of this disease. Other diseases, such as DISH, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis, can affect the spine as well. Assessment of the integrity of the atlantoaxial joint is important in avoiding neurologic compromise.