J Manipulative Physiol The 1981;4: 19-20
ABSTRACT: A case is presented in which a 35-year old female, with previously diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis located predominately in the upper extremities and cervical spine, presented to a chiropractic college clinic for evaluation and possible therapy. The prior diagnosis was confirmed through routine physical, orthopedic and roentgenologic examination, however, since the patient was a potential candidate for manipulative therapy, it was decided that the routine films should be supplemented with flexion-extension studies and tomographic studies to evaluate for cervical spine erosion and potential for pathologic atlanto-axial subluxation. The case was determined to have erosive cervical spine changes and an increased atlanto-dental interval (ADI), thus contraindicating manipulative therapy. It was concluded that routine examination procedures may not be sufficient for evaluating this condition prior to manipulative therapy.