Synovectomy of the knee joint

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Rheumatology
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) commonly affects the knee joint, leading to pain and functional impairment.
• Synovial inflammation in RA can cause progressive joint damage and loss of function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of synovectomy in managing active rheumatoid arthritis of the knee.
• To identify patient selection criteria and surgical techniques that optimize outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Patient selection based on weight-bearing roentgenograms.
• Surgical synovectomy procedure with emphasis on preserving the suprapatellar pouch.
• Long-term follow-up (10 years) to assess joint function and disease progression.

Main Results:

• Synovectomy effectively arrests disease progression in the knee.
• Preservation of the suprapatellar pouch significantly improves postoperative range of motion.
• Early surgical intervention, guided by serial roentgenograms, yields better results.

Conclusions:

• Synovectomy is a valuable treatment for rheumatoid arthritis of the knee.
• Careful patient selection and surgical technique are crucial for successful outcomes.
• The procedure offers long-term joint function preservation in RA patients.