<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represents a condition that can erode cartilage and damage joints, leading to inflammation and loss of movement, characterized by inflammatory synovitis. While the widespread use of potent disease-modifying medications has increased opportunities for RA patients, orthopedic surgery and complete joint arthroplasty remain an important option in end-stage joint treatment. The knee is one of the most frequently affected joints in chronic rheumatoid arthritis patients. The severity of RA ranges from a moderate illness to a serious, rapidly progressing, destructive version, gradually leading to incessant pain and joint deformity. Despite recent advances in biological agents and therapeutic modalities in the field of rheumatology, certain patients with RA, who ultimately undergo joint surgery, tend to experience progressive joint damage. Though, TKA can be performed in these patients, increased complications and poorer outcomes may result after total knee arthroplasty, because of the particularities given by RA. They are associated with extended operating time, specifically resulting in increased infection, blood loss and deep vein thrombosis. However, because RA patients present additional risk factors for complications, certain critical preoperative examination and surgical aspects need to be considered in order to maximize TKA outcomes in this subgroup of patients.</p>
</abstract>

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represents a condition that can erode cartilage and damage joints, leading to inflammation and loss of movement, characterized by inflammatory synovitis. While the widespread use of potent disease-modifying medications has increased opportunities for RA patients, orthopedic surgery and complete joint arthroplasty remain an important option in end-stage joint treatment. The knee is one of the most frequently affected joints in chronic rheumatoid arthritis patients. The severity of RA ranges from a moderate illness to a serious, rapidly progressing, destructive version, gradually leading to incessant pain and joint deformity. Despite recent advances in biological agents and therapeutic modalities in the field of rheumatology, certain patients with RA, who ultimately undergo joint surgery, tend to experience progressive joint damage. Though, TKA can be performed in these patients, increased complications and poorer outcomes may result after total knee arthroplasty, because of the particularities given by RA. They are associated with extended operating time, specifically resulting in increased infection, blood loss and deep vein thrombosis. However, because RA patients present additional risk factors for complications, certain critical preoperative examination and surgical aspects need to be considered in order to maximize TKA outcomes in this subgroup of patients.

Current review of surgical management options for total knee arthroplasty in the rheumatoid knee

Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

“Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Romanian Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) represents a condition that can erode cartilage and damage joints, leading to inflammation and loss of movement, characterized by...

Current review of surgical management options for total knee arthroplasty in the rheumatoid knee

Publicado en línea: 13 ago 2021

Páginas: 38 - 45

Aceptado: 22 jul 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rojost-2021-0007

Palabras clave
total knee arthroplasty, rheumatoid arthritis, flexion contracture, TKA complications, rheumatoid cysts, osteopenia

© 2021 Sergiu Andrei Iordache et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Current review of surgical management options for total knee arthroplasty in the rheumatoid knee

Publicado en línea: 13 ago 2021

Páginas: 38 - 45

Aceptado: 22 jul 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/rojost-2021-0007

Palabras clavetotal knee arthroplasty, rheumatoid arthritis, flexion contracture, TKA complications, rheumatoid cysts, osteopenia

© 2021 Sergiu Andrei Iordache et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Palabras clave
total knee arthroplasty, rheumatoid arthritis, flexion contracture, TKA complications, rheumatoid cysts, osteopenia