Abstract
We operated on 140 knee joints of 100 patients with rheumatoid arthritis from 1971 to 1981. Clinical and radiological data has been taken on 105 knees of 71 patients, 7 men and 64 women, 1 to 10 years after operation. Their ages at operation ranged from 22 to 88.
The arthroscopical irrigation that was performed with local anesthesia on 41 knees in 33 patients was effective for persistent hydroarthrosis, especially for cases of the scar formation type. Surgical synovectomy on 26 knees in 24 patients had a protective effect against bone and cartilage destruction, especially for cases at an incipient X-ray stage and with well-controlled RA activity. Total knee replacement of 58 knees in 40 patients made it possible for handicapped RA patients with severe disability to walk. Many patients needed not only knee replacement but that of 3 or 4 joints, such as total hip replacement. We have to make adequate planning and take preventive care against complications of TKR such as infection, loosening and so on, when performing joint reconstructive surgery on handicapped RA patients.
