A total joint arthroplasty may benefit a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, but it should only be done if certain indications are present.
A total joint arthroplasty is usually considered if the patient has:
(1) incapacity from severe pain and/or severe disability
(2) failure of conservative therapy
Additional factors that may affect the decision:
(1) avascular necrosis with bone collapse and degenerative arthritis
(2) joint instability, deformity or malalignment, especially if this places stress on other joints that need to compensate for the change
(3) complete loss of articular cartilage in the affected joint resulting in direct bone-to-bone contact
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Specialty: Immunology/Rheumatology
ICD-10: ,
