Posterior atlantoaxial facet screw fixation in rheumatoid arthritis

This retrospective review was conducted to determine the efficacy of transarticular screw fixation in a group of patients who were treated for rheumatoid atlantoaxial instability.

Thirty-six patients (mean age 63 years) with rheumatoid atlantoaxial instability were treated with posterior atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation supplemented with an interspinous C1-2 strut graft-cable construct to provide immediate three-point fixation to facilitate bone fusion. Previous attempts at fusions by using bone grafting with wire fixation at other institutions had failed in six of these patients. Six patients underwent transoral odontoid resections for removal of large irreducible pannus as a first-stage procedure, which was followed within 2 to 3 days by the posterior procedure. Postoperatively, 33 patients were placed in hard cervical collars and three required halo vests because of severe osteoporosis. Of eight patients categorized as Ranawat Class II preoperatively, all eight returned to normal after surgery; of eight patients in Ranawat Class III-A preoperatively, four improved to Class II and four remained unchanged. All 20 patients classified as Ranawat Class I preoperatively recovered completely. Pain decreased or resolved in all patients, and there were no complications related to instrumentation. At follow-up review (mean 2 years), 33 patients (92%) had solid bone fusions, and three (8%) had stable fibrous unions.

Posterior atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation provides a good surgical alternative for the management of patients with rheumatoid atlantoaxial instability. This technique provides immediate three-point rigid fixation of the C1-2 region, thus obviating the need for halo vest immobilization in most cases.