Cervical Spine X-ray

[RabbitMum_1965]

I have left C2/C3 arthropathy; I had an awful left sided neck flare up 2 weeks ago. They didn't do an x-ray when I went to Aand E. The x-ray was done today (flare up has calmed down!). The neck ('cervical spine') x-ray was done with while I was standing up. They did a few with my mouth open. Are neck ones meant to be done with the patient lying down or standing? Is it less accurate if done while the patient is standing up or does it not matter?

[Kags1068]

I've had atlanto axial subluxation/instability of the neck and had to have an op to fuse my C1 and C2 in 2009. Before and since I've had many neck x-rays. To the best of my recollection they were always done standing up. Sometimes mouth open, sometimes head tilted right up, sometimes right down. (I suppose it depended on the types of angles they were after)?

I'm having some more problems now with C3 and C4 subluxation, and hadto have more x-rays earlier this year. Took flippin' ages as they were trying all sorts of positions to get the views! Probably more difficult as part of my neck already fused.

So don't worry, in my experience it was the norm to have the x-rays done standing up. Whether they are ever done lying down for the neck I'm afraid I don't know.

Hope this helps and that you get some relief from your pain soon.

Best wishes 🙂

[RabbitMum_1965 in reply to Kags1068]

Thanks Kags1068. Is C2/C3 arthropathy indicative of RA? I had rheumatoid factor blood test before the neck flare up and it was 'normal'. They took a few with my mouth open.

[Kags1068 in reply to RabbitMum_1965]

You are welcome Newbie. I'm honestly not sure whether the arthropathy you mention is indicative of RA and I really don't want to misadvise you -sorry. When I was diagnosed (back in the dark ages), fortunately the disease showed up very clearly in my blood tests so I'm lucky in that my diagnosis was very straightforward. I've read accounts of other member on here who I believe have had experiences of the disease not obviously showing in their blood, but do most definitely have it. I'm not sure if that's when they are eventually diagnosed as 'seronegative' rather than 'seropositive' (which I am). Please check that out with someone more knowledgeable though as I'm not certain I've explained that as well as it could be. I would think if you did a post asking about this matter some kind members would certainly offer some good advice.

Best wishes🙂

[BoneyC]

I had an unstable spine with lots of neuro symptoms in 2002. C3 had subluxed onto C4 causing spinal stenosis and myelopathy. Had neurosurgery (laminoplasty & fixation) to open up the spinal processes to alleviate pressure on my spinal cord and titanium rods were screwed into place to hold the vertebrae from C3-C6.

GP could only order a neutral neck x-ray (standing up). Neurosurgeon ordered flexion and extension which revealed the problem. Then MRI's followed and surgery.