Atlantoaxial Subluxation & neck surgery with R/A

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DebMcD - 14 Jul 2004 16:27 GMT

My best friend who has had severe R/A for 20+ years has been diagnosed
with AAI. Both her R/A doc and neurosurgeon are strongly recommending
fusion of C1-C2. She's not in pain right now. She does have numbness
in her feet and legs from this. She doesn't want to go forward with
the surgery until she can find some other people with R/A who have
experience with this surgery. Does anyone have experience with this
condition and the surgery?? She could use some help in making her
decision. For the moment she has told them no surgery until she can
gather more info. Please reply if you have experience with AAI, R/A
and neck surgery. Thanks!!

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Harvey R. Stone - 14 Jul 2004 17:58 GMT

Hi Deb, You are not the first person to post here with this problem. The
important thing you have said is the involvement of the feet and legs which
proves that pressure on the nerve trunk is taking place. Get it done
because this can get far worse and can even threaten a person life.
Harv

> My best friend who has had severe R/A for 20+ years has been diagnosed
> with AAI. Both her R/A doc and neurosurgeon are strongly recommending
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> gather more info. Please reply if you have experience with AAI, R/A
> and neck surgery. Thanks!!

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DebMcD - 15 Jul 2004 04:09 GMT

Thanks for the reply. Do you know of anyone with R/A who has undergone
this surgery? Was it successful? We are especially concerned about the
bone graft and the impact it may have. They say they will have to take
bone from the pelvis. Walking is already difficult due to the R/A. Are
there recovery complications associated with R/A?? Any info on this
would be very much appreciated.

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Harvey R. Stone - 15 Jul 2004 15:48 GMT

> Thanks for the reply. Do you know of anyone with R/A who has undergone
> this surgery? Was it successful? We are especially concerned about the
> bone graft and the impact it may have. They say they will have to take
> bone from the pelvis. Walking is already difficult due to the R/A. Are
> there recovery complications associated with R/A?? Any info on this
> would be very much appreciated.

The best advice I can give you is that you must be satisfied with the good
work you surgeon has done in the past. Find out how many operations of
this kind the doctor has done. Not all surgeons were at the head of their
class.
Harv

Ps Please do not confuse controlling RA and having to have this operation.
IMO your guy is already past the time when he should of had this done.

Pss What does he take to control his RA?

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