A long-term study of the effect of early synovectomy in rheumatoid arthritis.

Joint recurrence of rheumatoid arthritis following synovectomy is often due to residual rheumatoid granulations within the spongiosa of the bone. This occurs much earlier than heretofore believed. Early synovectomy can often prevent local progression of the disease process. The regrowing fibrous lining after almost total and very early synovectomy does not have the ability to form rheumatoid granulations.