Abstract
Unilateral wrists synovectomized in wrists bilaterally afflicted with RA in 20 patients were followed up for 5 years to 19 years, 12.9 years on an average. The unoperated-on wrist was evaluated as a control.
Pain and swelling disappeared in 19 of the synovectomized wrists, whereas 5 of the unoperated-on wrists had pain and 6 swelling. In dorsal and volar flexion, both synovectomized and unoperated-on wrists exhibited a similar decrease in ROM; however, in the latter, forearm supination and pronation decreased to a lesser extent. X-ray examination revealed progression of the disease in both synovectomized and unoperated-on wrists. Most patients were satisfied with the results of the synovectomy, but a few complained of the decrease in dorsal and volar flexion.
In conclusion, synovectomy of the rheumatoid wrist is recommended for alleviation of pain and swelling, but not for the prevention of the progression of bone destruction.
