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Can RA lead to OA - in the neck?
I have moderate osteoarthritis in my C3/C4 vertabrae. (That's on a scale of mild-moderate-severe.) I am 33 years old! The chiropractor took the x-ray diagnosed me and said usually it's due to some trauma. I have not had a trauma. I do however have an autoimmune disorder. Elevated ana 1:1280, etc. But I'm curious I guess I find the OA in my neck puzzeling. Can it be related? I have lots and lots of other joint pain and sometimes swelling over the years. Diagnosed with RA at 17, but undx with it later b/c they said I didn't have the joint deformities associated with it. But my question is could RA lead to OA - in the neck?! The chiropractor said no. My rheumy kinda mumbled it could all go together but didn't really answer.....
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RA can definitely lead to OA in any joint, including the spine/neck. No two people exhibit the same set of RA symptoms, so it's entirely possible the disease process has been going on despite what your doctor says. If I were you I'd find a new rheumatologist. Don't let anyone tell you RA doesn't affect the spine - that's an old wives tale that should have died a merciful death decades ago, but for some reason many doctors still believe it.
I know chiros can do a lot of good for many people, but no way would I let anyone touch my neck! I'm sure a good one would refuse to do so. I'm just as happy with a simple neck and shoulder massage. :)
Thank you for that input. I stopped going only a few months after starting chiropractic treatment b/c the numbness and tingling was increased so much I couldn't turn my head. When I told the chiropractor about this she started to only use this clicker thing, but I still felt worse than I did before I went to her. I appreciate you telling me that b/c it confirms what I wondered and now I know I must've made the right decision discontinuing chiropractic.
I agree with carolanivey. The only other thing I would like to add is to be wary of relying on chiropractors. I am at the stage with severe osteo arthritis that the leading chiropractor (at their teaching facility) in my area refused to touch me because their treatments can do more harm than good, particularly when calcification has occurred in joints.
all the best
I hear that! We've moved several times and assembling the team to keep this body going is a big pain. :)
I don't think xrays alone can tell the difference between RA and OA damage. The rheumie has to look at a broad range of evidence including bloodwork, xrays, mri (maybe), and your symptom pattern.
I don't think xrays alone can tell the difference between RA and OA damage. The rheumie has to look at a broad range of evidence including bloodwork, xrays, mri (maybe), and your symptom pattern.
Thank you very much for your reply and encouragement! The search for a good rheumatologist can be tough. We are moving soon so I'll need to start over anyways with all of it. I had not heard of RA in the spine, but that's really what makes the most sense to me with my other symptoms. Do you happen to know if they can tell from an x-ray or mri if RA is what caused the OA?
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