Rheumatoid Hand Surgery

Rheumatoid hand is one of the earliest presentations of RA, and the progression of rheumatoid hand disease can be unpredictable. There are a number of surgical treatments for the rheumatoid hand and careful sequential planning of the surgical procedures can maintain patients’ hand function and in many cases, should enhance outcomes of the rheumatoid hand by correcting existing deformities. An early introduction to a hand surgeon can inform patients of available options and allow longitudinal assessment of structural and functional changes that could be treatable by future surgical interventions.

The surgical treatments for RA of the hand and wrist include synovectomy, ten synovectomy, tendon realignment, reconstructive surgery , and arthropods. Surgical treatment is much more likely to be successful if it is implemented early in the course of the deformity. If the patient does not receive timely referral to a hand surgeon, the resultant function of the hand may be severely compromised.

The treatment of rheumatoid focuses on decreasing the inflammation, reducing pain, and restoring function. Optimum treatment involves a team approach, including the patient’s primary care physician, a rheumatologist, a hand surgeon, and therapists. The rheumatologist will prescribe and manage medication appropriate to the disease process.