[Indications and results of surgical therapy of rheumatic diseases]

The indication to synovialectomy is present in chronic inflammatory articular processes, which cannot be sufficiently controlled by an optimal medicamentous treatment of a duration of 6 months. It is urgent, when the synovialitis is connected with the danger of a damage of tendons and nerves. An essential restriction by the age of the patients or the activity of the process does not exist. Reconstructive-reparative and stiffening operations are indicated, when the correction of deformations or the stabilisation of joints shall be achieved. In these cases the interventions first mentioned may also contribute to the alleviation of the pain and the improvement of the function. The results of the surgery of joints in chronic rheumatic diseases are good in the majority of patients. Further improvements may be achieved by timely indications and the enlargement of the possibilities of the alloplastic substitution of the joints.