Our Summary

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that causes inflammation in many joints, including the wrist. When medication doesn’t work, some patients undergo surgery. One surgical procedure, synovectomy, can help reduce pain and improve wrist function. This paper discusses a specific type of synovectomy, called arthroscopic synovectomy. The authors find that this procedure is safe, reliable, and causes minimal discomfort after surgery. The paper goes into detail about how the procedure works and its results in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the wrist.

FAQs

  1. What is arthroscopic synovectomy and how can it help patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the wrist?
  2. What are the benefits of arthroscopic synovectomy compared to other surgical methods for managing rheumatoid arthritis in the wrist?
  3. How safe and reliable is the method of arthroscopic synovectomy for treating rheumatoid arthritis in the wrist?

Doctor’s Tip

A doctor may advise a patient undergoing wrist arthroscopy for rheumatoid arthritis to follow postoperative rehabilitation exercises as prescribed, to help improve range of motion and strength in the wrist joint. Additionally, they may recommend regular follow-up appointments to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed.

Suitable For

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have persistent symptoms in the wrist despite medical management are typically recommended wrist arthroscopy. This procedure can provide pain relief and functional improvement for rheumatoid wrist. Arthroscopic synovectomy is considered a safe and reliable method with minimal postoperative morbidity.

Timeline

Before wrist arthroscopy:

  • Patient experiences persistent symptoms of pain, swelling, and limited mobility in the wrist despite medical management for rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Consultation with a orthopedic surgeon to discuss surgical options, including arthroscopic synovectomy.
  • Pre-operative assessment and testing to ensure the patient is a suitable candidate for surgery.
  • Patient receives information about the procedure, risks, benefits, and expected outcomes.

After wrist arthroscopy:

  • Patient undergoes arthroscopic synovectomy procedure under general anesthesia.
  • Patient typically goes home the same day or after a short hospital stay.
  • Post-operative care includes pain management, physical therapy, and follow-up appointments with the surgeon to monitor healing and progress.
  • Patient experiences improvement in pain, swelling, and mobility in the wrist over time.
  • Long-term follow-up to monitor for any recurrence of symptoms and to ensure continued improvement in function and quality of life.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is wrist arthroscopy and how can it help with my rheumatoid arthritis symptoms?
  2. Am I a good candidate for wrist arthroscopy?
  3. What are the potential risks and complications associated with wrist arthroscopy?
  4. How long is the recovery process after wrist arthroscopy?
  5. What can I expect in terms of pain relief and functional improvement after the procedure?
  6. How many arthroscopic synovectomies have you performed for rheumatoid wrist and what is your success rate?
  7. Are there any alternative treatments or surgeries that I should consider before proceeding with wrist arthroscopy?
  8. How long will the effects of the arthroscopic synovectomy last?
  9. Will I need physical therapy after the procedure and if so, for how long?
  10. What steps can I take to ensure the best possible outcome after wrist arthroscopy?

Reference

Authors: Shim JW, Park MJ. Journal: Hand Clin. 2017 Nov;33(4):779-785. doi: 10.1016/j.hcl.2017.07.005. PMID: 28991588