HAND SURGERY IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Authors:
Katarina Barbarić Starčević
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, progressive, systematic inflammatory disease which can oft en cause progressive development of deformity and loss of function of the hand and the wrist, accompanied by pain and difficulties in everyday life. Th e goal of surgical treatment of these patients is regaining better function of the hand and the wrist, relief of pain, and achieving a better esthetic result. Preventive procedures slow down the natural course of the disease by the removal of inflamed and reactive tissue. They enhance joint function and reduce the risk of tendon ruptures and development of more severe deformities. In the later course of the disease, with severe changes already present, reconstructive surgical treatments are performed with the goal to regain better function and reduce pain, or to treat ruptured tendons. Cooperation of rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons is necessary in the treatment decision, with an individualized approach to each patient, to determine the best timeline and surgical procedure.