[The idea of team work as the basis of integrated therapy of polyarthritis].

As a generalized immunological disease without known etiology, rheumatoid arthritis cannot be treated either entirely medically or entirely surgically. Integrated treatment must include medication, surgery, and physiotherapy. When arthritis is in the beginning stages, the rheumatologist takes care of the basic treatment. With further advancement of the disease, however, reconstructive surgery plays a leading role. The rheumatic patient offers physiotherapeutic, social, reeducational, occupational, prosthetic, and psychological challenges. Treatment is therefore carried out with the best results when done by a specialized team in specialized hospitals.