Post-operative Results for Instability of the Upper Cervical Spine Due to Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The cervical spine is commonly destroyed in rheumatoid arthritis. Spinal fusion for deformity of the cervical spine was done in thirty-one patients. We analyzed these postoperative results and defined the operative indications for this disorder. The range of follow-up was three months to twenty years. There were twelve postoperative deaths but almost all of the remaining patients were satisfied with the operation, because they were pain-free.