Evaluation of outcomes in total joint arthroplasty for rheumatoid arthritis.

As the causes of most chronic diseases are multifactorial, so are their outcomes. The first two decades of joint arthroplasty witnessed rapid technologic advances and diffusion. Short-term outcomes measured by traditional clinical parameters show remarkable successes. Long-term results measured traditionally and including patient- and society-oriented outcomes, e.g., health status, cost, and satisfaction, need greater emphasis in the evaluation of surgical management of polyarticular disease. Long-term studies that use standardized outcome measurement are crucial in the future development of the technology and in the refinement of patient selection criteria to achieve optimal outcome. A larger view of the end-results can be measured reliably, but their interpretation and refinement need careful study.