[The knee joint in rheumatoid arthritis-current orthopaedic surgical treatment options].

The knee joint is often involved in rheumatoid arthritis. Despite ever-improving medical antirheumatic therapies, surgical treatment continues to play an important role in optimal multidisciplinary care. The aim of the present work is to process current orthopedic surgical therapy procedures on the knee joint according to disease stage. In the early phase, joint-preserving arthroscopic procedures for synovectomy are used. In advanced joint destruction, joint function can be restored by total knee arthroplasty. Of central importance for optimal patient care are individual treatment and good interdisciplinary coordination of all involved specialist groups.