Synovectomies in moderately to severely involved rheumatoid knees: an alternative to implant arthroplasty.

A retrospective study of 19 synovectomies revealed significant relief of pain for two to ten years in selected patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis of the knee diagnosed roentgenographically. The usual indications for this procedure may be extended to include well-motivated patients when synovectomy is combined with good medical and physical therapy. Need for further operation was considered a failure of synovectomy.