Abstract
We studied the clinical results and quality of life (QOL) in RA patients who received multiple joint arthroplasties (MJA) in the upper and lower limbs at the Senami RA center. The 140 patients (with 3 or more joint arthroplasties) out of 714 patients who received MJA in the lower limbs were followed up between 1981 and 2000.
At the same time, 51 patients received operations in the upper limbs and 22 of them received total joint arthroplasties in the upper limbs. The QOL of the group with MJA in the lower limbs was slightly improved. The results suggested that QOL improvements by MJA in the upper and lower limbs were necessary to improve the psychological aspect and social activity as well as ADL.
