Surgery in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

It is the chronic synovitis which leads to destruction of the joint in rheumatoid arthritis. Synovectomy is advocated whenever there is evidence of significant synovitis or effusion after three to six months of rest. This is the most useful of the operations for rheumatoid arthritis for it alters the course of the disease in the joint; the joint is refractory to exacerbations of the disease for a long period.