Orthopaedic surgery and rehabilitation in rheumatoid arthritis

Orthopaedic surgical procedures are episodes in the continuing management and rehabilitation of the patient with rheumatoid arthritis. Well-chosen procedures give excellent relief of symptoms and deformity, and successful management is a prime example of rehabilitation requiring considerable team work from physician, surgeon, therapists, social workers and nursing staff. Team work enables the rheumatologist to be in charge of the overall management of the patient through the clinic with responsibility for general medical care, while the surgeon can take charge during periods in hospital for surgery and the immediate postoperative outpatient care. Cooperation between physician and surgeon eases each of some of the clinical burden that is at present provided by this disease.