Research progress of the pathogenesis of atlantoaxial dislocation caused by rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, consumptive, autoimmune disease characterized by arthrosis symptoms. It often invades the joints. The early manifestation of RA is invasion of joint soft tissue by synovitis, which can destory the role of joint capsule and ligaments in stabilizing the joints. Later manifestation is the invasion of bone tissue, which result in the fusion of joints and occurrence of different degrees of ankylosis and deformity. Atlantoaxial joint (AAJ) is one of the most common invaded joints of RA due to anatomical characteristics of joint capsule relaxation, multiple ligaments and complex structure. The progressive development of RA may lead to atlantoaxial instability, or even to atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD). This article reviews the pathogenesis of RA involving AAD. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2018.05.012