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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
06:06
Tissue Collection and RNA Extraction from the Human Osteoarthritic Knee Joint
Published on: July 22, 2021
The knee joint in rheumatoid arthritis
1Surgical Arthritis Service, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA.
Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America
|March 12, 1998
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis frequently affects the knee. Surgical options like arthroscopic synovectomy and total knee replacement offer excellent long-term outcomes, improving function and reducing pain for most patients.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rheumatology
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Polyarticular rheumatoid arthritis commonly impacts the knee joint.
- Surgical strategies for knee involvement are dictated by articular cartilage status and synovitis severity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review surgical management options for rheumatoid arthritis affecting the knee.
- To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of arthroscopic synovectomy and total knee replacement in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of surgical techniques including arthroscopic synovectomy for cartilage preservation in severe synovitis.
- Analysis of total knee replacement complexity in rheumatoid arthritis due to bone and soft-tissue compromise.
- Assessment of complication rates, particularly infection, associated with knee arthroplasty.
Main Results:
- Arthroscopic synovectomy is indicated for persistent synovitis when cartilage can be spared.
- Total knee replacement in rheumatoid arthritis presents surgical challenges and increased complication risks.
- Long-term knee arthroplasty results in rheumatoid arthritis are generally excellent, significantly enhancing function and alleviating pain.
Conclusions:
- Surgical intervention for rheumatoid arthritis of the knee requires careful consideration of joint condition.
- Both arthroscopic synovectomy and total knee replacement can yield substantial benefits in function and pain relief.
- Despite complexities, knee arthroplasty demonstrates high success rates for long-term management of rheumatoid arthritis.
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