Arthroplasty of the knee with tibial and/or femoral metallic implants in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatologic evaluation

Abstract

Fifty-five patients with rheumatoid arthritis underwent 6 8 femoral mold andlor tibia1 plateau knee arthroplasties. The records of all patients were reviewed and 42 patients were examined and evaluated 1-6.5 years after surgery using a sirnple 100 point scoring system equally emphasizing pain, mobility, and functional capacity. Although 84.5% showed some improvement, mean overall change was modest at +15.3 points. Forty-seven complications occurred in 38 of the 6 8 operations. Implications for rheurnatologists and referring physicians are discussed.From the Arthritis and Orthopedic Sections of