Late synovectomy of the hand in rheumatoid arthritis.

PIP joints, MCP joints and wrists of 80 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were operated on with late synovectomy. The rate of recurrence of local synovitis was about 5%, which contrasted favourably with a considerably higher rate of progression of bony erosions. The loss of range of movement was small to moderate. Pain was alleviated in most cases. The possibility of forecasting the results by preoperative parameters was limited. It was concluded that the main indication for late synovectomy of the hand was alleviation of pain. The prophylactic effect on joint destruction seemed to be both slight and unpredictable.