In a nutshell
This study assessed joint symptoms and quality of life two years after total knee replacement surgery in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The study concluded that rheumatoid arthritis patients undergoing knee replacement surgery experience good outcomes.
Some background
Total knee replacement surgery is a common treatment for osteoarthritis (a degenerative disease of the joint cartilage). However, joint replacement surgery is rarely used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Since rheumatoid arthritis involves a chronic inflammation of many joints (causing continued tissue destruction), many believe that surgery to replace damaged joints will be of limited benefit to patients. This study compared the outcomes of knee replacement surgeries between patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Methods & findings
The study included data from 107 rheumatoid arthritis patients who underwent total knee replacement at a single medical center. Before surgery, patients reported high levels of pain and low joint function. Two-years after surgery, 89% of patients reported large improvements in joint pain. 93% of patients reported large improvements in joint function. The use of biological treatments for rheumatoid arthritis before surgery did not seem to effect surgery outcomes. Overall, the majority of rheumatoid arthritis patients were satisfied with surgery after two-years.
By comparison, data from 4,091 osteoarthritis patients who underwent total knee replacements at the same medical center showed similar 2-year outcomes with regards to join pain and function.
The bottom line
The study concluded that rheumatoid arthritis patients experience excellent two-year outcomes following total knee replacement surgery.
Published By :
The Journal of Rheumatology
Date :
Dec 01, 2015
