Controversy in the surgical treatment of the rheumatoid hand.

The clinical picture of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is best viewed as a combination of systemic symptoms associated with the inflammatory process and articular symptoms related both to potentially reversible synovitis and structural damage brought on by inflammation. In simple terms, the treatment of inflammation is medical, and structural lesions often require surgical solutions. The prime indications for surgery in patients with RA are essentially determined by the patient and consist of a desire to obtain pain relief and/or functional improvement. Pain is difficult to quantify. Essential concepts regarding surgical intervention are that surgery is elective in all but a few rare situations and always requires local therapy. Any evaluation of surgical intervention must be based on its total effect on the patient. Although there have been immense advances in the surgical options for patients with rheumatoid arthritis over the last several decades, the role of specific procedures in the total picture has many areas of uncertainty and controversy.