Surgery For Rheumatoid Arthritis - Rheumatoid Arthritis: Arthritis

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Surgery for rheumatoid arthritis

Some people with rheumatoid arthritis require surgery to reconstruct or replace a damaged joint. Surgery is usually recommended when drug treatment alone can no longer improve the situation, although the timing of such surgery — and whether to go ahead with it — is up to you and your physician. Surgery is usually viewed as a last resort to reduce pain and improve function. One possible exception is hand surgery, as many hand surgeons advocate early surgical intervention to remove inflamed tissue and to help protect the joints and nearby tendons.

Many of the surgical procedures used to repair joints damaged by osteoarthritis are also used in rheumatoid arthritis. The most common surgical procedures for rheumatoid arthritis are arthroscopy, synovectomy (removal of the inflamed tissue that lines the joint), and arthroplasty (joint repair, including joint replacement). The choice depends, in part, on which joints are involved and whether you have any other medical problems. Total joint replacement, most commonly for severe hip or knee arthritis, is a major operation and carries the associated risks (see "Joint reconstruction or replacement").

Last updated:	September 05, 2008