Long-term results of knee synovectomy in early cases of rheumatoid arthritis.

Five hundred and eight cases of early synovectomy of the knee in rheumatoid arthritis are reported from nine clinics in a retrospective multi-center follow-up study. Observation time covers at least ten years in each case. Sixty-five per cent of the cases are reported as being subjectively and objectively good. The mean roentgenological grade, according to Larsen, was 1.7 preoperatively and 2.7 at follow-up.