[Endoprostheses in surgery of the rheumatoid foot]

On the basis of a series of 100 cases of rheumatoid foot, the author details the present surgical indications. As concerns the big toe, he feels that the installation of a Swanson type implant does not bring a marked improvement compared to the simple arthroplastic resection of the Keller type, since it does not seem that the mobility is improved in the long run. As for the lesions af the external toes, the synovectomy stage is almost always bypassed and he suggests the use of Lelievre realignment. He concludes by insisting on the aims of this surgery, which should basically be an improvement of walking, greater comfort in wearing shoes, and a decrease in pain.