Abstract
A follow-up study was made of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had undergone multiple total joint replacement. The systemic functional ability of patients was estimated using a modified Barthel index. In 84% of the patients, improvement of the activities of daily living was achieved. However, in the other 16%, in whom there was severe cervical myelopathy, muscular atrophy, or/and osteoporosis, the results of the surgery were not satisfactory. It seems that indication for multiple total joint replacement in severe active rheumatoid arthritis should be determined by considering the neurological function, muscular strength, bone mineral content of the skeletal system, and the social background of a patient.
