[Results more than five years after osmic acid synoviorthesis of the rheumatoid knee]

Osmic acid synoviorthesis is an adjuvant form of local treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, the value of which has been demonstrated by a large number of studies over some 30 years. However, it is widely considered that the stability of the results of this type of synoviorthesis is less satisfactory than that obtained with isotope synoviorthesis and that osmic acid may damage the articular cartilage. The authors analyzed the results of a retrospective study of 90 rheumatoid knees treated by this method with a follow-up of more than 5 years (mean period 9 years). With such a follow-up, a satisfactory clinical result was seen in 44.5 p. cent of cases and radiological evaluation of the knees treated showed no worsening in initial signs in an identical percentage of cases. Best results were obtained in joints where there was little radiological damage and in cases of inflammatory or only moderately progressive arthritis, good results may also be hoped for in more severe or advanced cases. The good overall quality of the results obtained with a mean follow-up of 9 years would be in favour of the value of osmic acid synoviorthesis in the local treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.