The upper cervical spine with its two bone segments is the most complicated and vulnerable region of the human spinal column, making it a target for a number of arthritic disorders. Disorders of the cervical spine and especially at the craniocervical junction demand specialized approaches for decompression and stabilization. Minimally invasive endoscopic approaches are also being developed for these disorders.
Certain arthritic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, often manifests at the junction of the skull to the neck, as well as its upper two motion segments. Treatment techniques include decompression of the spinal cord and cerebellum, or surgical fixation techniques that can maximize the healing of the cranium to the cervical spine.