What causes atlantoaxial subluxation?

Atlantoaxial subluxation can result from major trauma or can occur without trauma in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis.

How do you test for atlantoaxial subluxation?

Diagnosis of Atlantoaxial Subluxation Atlantoaxial subluxation is usually diagnosed with plain cervical x-rays; however, flexion views may be required to show intermittent subluxation. Views during flexion, as tolerated by the patient, show dynamic instability of the entire cervical spine.

How common is atlantoaxial subluxation?

In individuals without any predisposing factors, atlantoaxial instability is extremely rare. Radiographic atlantoaxial instability is seen in up to 30% of patients with Down syndrome (DS), but only 1% of patients with DS have symptomatic atlantoaxial instability.

What are the symptoms of atlantoaxial instability?

Neurologic manifestations include clumsiness, lack of coordination, abnormal gait, difficulty walking, easy fatigability, neck pain, limited next mobility, torticollis, sensory deficits, neurogenic bladder, upper motor neuron signs (spasticity, hyperreflexia, clonus, Babinski sign), paraplegia, hemiplegia, and …

What are the symptoms of subluxation?

Symptoms

• Pain and swelling around the joint.
• A sensation of joint instability.
• Limited mobility or the loss of range of motion.
• Loss of feeling or numbness (usually temporary)
• Bruising1

What causes C1 C2 subluxation?

Rotational subluxation or dislocation of C1 on C2. Can develop from osseous or ligamentous abnormalities resulting from acquired or congenital disorders. As a result of instability, excessive motion and spinal cord compression may occur at the atlantoaxial joint.

What is Subaxial subluxation?

Subaxial subluxation of the cervical spine (SAS) in rheumatoid arthritis presents as local and radiating pain, arm rhizopathy, and/or myelopathy. The condi- tion may progress towards tetraplegia. Cervical spinal cord compression may be one of the major causes of premature death in this population (Mikulowski et al.

How do you fix cervical instability?

What are the treatment options for cervical instability?

1. Injection therapy.
2. Physical manipulation.
3. Joint stabilization.
4. Physical therapy.
5. Fusion surgery.
6. Medical therapy.

What is the treatment for subluxation?

The treatment for subluxations may include resetting the joint, pain relief, rehabilitation therapy, and, in severe cases, surgery.

How do you fix C1 and C2?

Some common nonsurgical treatments for C1-C2 include:

1. Medication.
2. Immobilization.
3. Physical therapy.
4. Chiropractic manipulation.
5. Traction refers to stretching and/or realigning the spine to relieve direct nerve pressure and stress on the vertebral levels.

How do you fix C1-C2 instability?

Surgery is often aimed at fixing the instability by fusing vertebral segments together. Surgery is often aimed at fixing the instability by fusing vertebral segments together. In the case of C1-C2 instability, these two vertebrae are fused posteriorly to limit their amount of movement.

What does it mean to have atlanto-axial subluxation?

Atlanto-axial subluxation. Atlanto-axial subluxation is a disorder of C1-C2 causing impairment in rotation of the neck. The anterior facet of C1 is fixed on the facet of C2. It may be associated with dislocation of the lateral mass of C1 on C2.

How is atlantoaxial subluxation treated at Centeno-Schultz clinic?

Loose or damaged ligaments cause Atalnto-axial subluxation. Treating the ligaments can restore joint alignment and reduce pain and symptoms. At the Centeno-Schultz Clinic, we are experts in the treatment of ligament injuries. We pioneered the first nonsurgical repair of torn Anterior Cruciate Ligaments utilizing the patient’s own stem cells (6).

How is the atlantoaxial joint in the neck repaired?

Immobilizing the neck can allow the atlantoaxial joint to rest and heal properly. More severe atlantoaxial subluxations often require surgical repair. During surgery, the atlantoaxial joint will often be fused together by inserting metal screws, pins, and rods into the C1 and C2 vertebrae to permanently join them together.

Which is the best neck X-ray for atlantoaxial subluxation?

A neutral and forwarded flexed neck x-ray is best as it can demonstrate misalignment. A special radiographic measurement is used called the ADI (5). It stands for the a tlanto- d ens i nterval and measures the distance between the backside of the C1 bone and the boney prominence of C2.