Clinical Results of Synovectomy in Rheumatoid Arthritis

In numerous puplications the results of synovectomy have been written about where either one or another viewpoint have been examined. In this publication, the attempt is made to collect as many parameters as possible so as to get a most objective picture of the therapeutic worth by studying 100 knee and 370 finger synovectomies. During the survey, among other points, the following important aspects were taken under consideration: The operative results were not evaluated by the operating surgeon, but by a rheumatologist who was not on the clinic staff. As is well known, it is difficult to evaluate the X-ray picture objectively, since very often 'subjective impressions' prevail. Gschwend succeeded in setting up - mainly for the synovectomized finger joints - a comprehensive point system, so as not to leave the evaluation to chance. Besides the purely local joint condition, an internal rheumatological status, at the time of the operation and the follow-up examinations, with corresponding laboratory tests, was carried out and included in the evaluation. Finally, it should be pointed out that this is a long term study of 5 years, with various controls made in between. The examination of so-called control groups, for the present study, seems to us to be highly problematic and of little value for a statement. Essentially, only the local condition with respect to pain and swellings im- proves, while the general activity of the inflammatory process as also the mobility and deformity of the synovectomized joints will only be somewhat influenced.