Synovectomy of the rheumatoid knee does not prevent deterioration. 7-year follow-up of 83 cases.

Eighty-three knees in 65 patients were studied retrospectively 7 (3-11) years after synovectomy for rheumatoid arthritis. Half of all the knees had an osteotomy or prosthesis operation after a median interval of 4 years. Early synovectomy had been performed in 67 knees; half of these had a satisfactory result. Most of the late synovectomies were unsatisfactory. Our results support the opinion that deterioration of the rheumatoid knee cannot be prevented by early synovectomy. Late synovectomy is discouraged.