Definition:

A systemic disease, which affects connective tissue of the head and neck; arthritis is the dominant clinical manifestation, accompanied by thickening of articular soft tissue, with extension of synovial tissue over articular cartilages, which become eroded; the course is variable but often is chronic and progressive, leading to deformities and disability.

Symptoms:

• Pain is the most common symptom, especially pain at the base of the skull as rheumatoid arthritis most commonly affects the joints connected to the upper cervical vertebrae
• Swelling and warmth in one or more joints, may even be described as burning
• A feeling of local tenderness
• Loss of flexibility of the joint(s) in the affected area of the spine
• A crunching feeling when the joint is moved (called crepitus), particularly notable
• in the neck
• Headaches, related to cervical rheumatoid arthritis
• Pain that radiates down one or both arms
• Sensations of tingling and/or weakness in the arms or legs, or a loss of coordination or ability to walk

Causes:

• Unknown
• Autoimmune disease
• Possible family heredity
• Usually it takes a chemical or environmental "trigger" to activate the disease in people who genetically inherit RA

Treatment:

• ROM and stretching to head and neck
• Posture program
• Upper extremity strengthening