Synovectomy for rheumatoid arthritis
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Surgery Overview
Synovectomy surgery is done to remove inflamed joint tissue (synovium) that is causing unacceptable pain or is limiting your ability to function or your range of motion. Ligaments and other structures may be moved aside to access and remove the inflamed joint lining. The procedure may be done using arthroscopy.
What To Expect After Surgery
As soon as possible after surgery, a physical therapist will teach you how and when to move the joint. Recovery depends on the surgical technique used and the location of the incisions.
Following knee synovectomy, your knee will be immobilized in a removable cast, and physical therapy is started after 1 to 2 days.
Why It Is Done
Synovectomy may be used to treat joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis that have minimal bone or cartilage destruction when medicine has not relieved pain.
Synovectomy may be considered if significant pain persists after 6 to 12 months of drug treatment, including the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
How Well It Works
Synovectomy does not cure the disease, but it may relieve symptoms temporarily.1
Risks
Risks of synovectomy include the risks of surgery and using anesthesia and a slight risk of infection and bleeding within the joint.
There may also be a loss in the range of motion of the joint, or the inflammation in the joint may return.
What To Think About
Synovectomy is a useful treatment option for early rheumatoid arthritis that has not improved with medication, including DMARDs or corticosteroid injections. It may provide only temporary relief.
Complete the surgery information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this surgery.
References
Citations
Lipsky PE (2008). Rheumatoid arthritis. In AS Fauci et al., eds., Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th ed., vol. 2, pp. 2083–2092. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Credits
| Author | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology |
| Last Updated | August 18, 2008 |
| Last updated: | August 18, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Reviewed By: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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