Bone and joint surgery: rheumatoid arthritis--retrospective and contemporary techniques.

A philosophy of treatment and surgical planning for the rheumatoid arthritis patient with hand deformities has been outlined. The surgeon should select procedures that are reliable and that will build confidence in the patient. The surgical goals are pain relief, improved function, prevention of further deformity, and cosmesis. The techniques of several surgical procedures advocated by the authors are described and they represent the continuum of bone and joint procedures from the past to the present.