A descriptive clinical evaluation of arthroscopic synovectomy in rheumatoid knees: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical outcome of arthroscopic synovectomy for persistent rheumatoid synovitis of the knee joints.

DESIGN

Prospective clinical study.

SETTING

Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Manipal.

PATIENTS

Fifty two knee joints in 46 patients.

MEASUREMENTS

The effect of the procedure and its influence in the progression of the disease process on knee joints were assessed in terms of reduction of pain, improvement in range of motion, improvement in functional activity and recurrence of synovitis with effusion.

RESULTS

During the average follow up period of 5 years, the patients showed appreciable improvement (90% of knee joints) until 3 years of follow up. At the end of 5 years of follow up, it reduced to about 75%.

CONCLUSIONS

Arthroscopic synovectomy along with medical treatment can control the disease process and preserve the knee joint function for up to 3 years.