Abstract
This is to report the analysis of the factors which influenced the progress of two rheumatoid arthritis cases who received surgical operations on the hip joint 20 years ago.
Case 1 The first case was 48 years old at the onset of the disease and had received hip-joint operations five times since the age of 55. Factors which worsened the condition of the case were frequent gastroenteric disorders, complications due to Sjögren's Syndrome and/or osteoporosis, the use of metal-to-metal prosthesis, and an injury caused by a fall. Favorable factors were the slow development of the RA symptoms in the upper limbs, light body weight, financial stability, and the fact that the cup arthroplasty received proved to be successful for seven years.
Case 2 The second case was 25 at the onset of the disease and had received three knee and hip operations after the age of 30.
Factors which worsened the condition of this case were the deformity in the knuckles which appeared shortly after the onset, the fact that the case became widowed, and the heightened inflammation of the knee. Favorable factors, on the other hand, were the patient's youth, optimistic personality, and the fact that the cup arthroplasty received proved to be successful for nine years.
It is necessary to consider factors such as those mentioned above and to have a long-term perspective of treatment when undertaking surgical reconstruction of a joint on RA cases.
