please ↑Like, ↓Comment and Share↑ now. www.medilaw.tv Subscribe for latest movies. Shows rheumatoid sub-axial subluxation in lateral external and cross-section views. The pathology illustrated includes synovitis, joint subluxation and spinal cord stenosis. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term inflammatory disease of the whole body. The cause is unknown, but theories include combinations of viral infection, genetic predisposition, psychological stress, hormone interactions and autoimmune dysfunction – where a person’s immune system begins to attack their own body. Rheumatoid arthritis primarily involves the knuckle joints of the feet and hands. The next most commonly affected region is the cervical spine. The thoracic and lumbar spine are rarely affected. Rheumatoid spondylitis refers to the inflammation and destruction of synovial joints and the adjacent ligaments and bone in the spine. Rheumatoid spondylitis can affect any level of the cervical spine and begins early, with 80% of clients developing cervical instability within two years of the onset of the disease. Damage to the supporting joint surfaces, ligaments and muscles allows abnormal movement of the spine joints. This instability or lack of proper alignment between adjacent vertebrae places pressure on the spinal cord or the nerves as they leave the spinal cord. This can cause pain, numbness or weakness that is the major medical concern for clients with rheumatoid spondylitis. Rheumatoid …