Life In Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Research Articles

ＲＡの下肢多関節手術の術後成績の検討

Seventy-two patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated by multiple joint operations of no less than 2 joints including a total joint arthroplasty were clinically reviewed. Average age of patients was 58.1 years at the time of initial operation. Average duration of contraction of the disease was 9.7 years. Function of the lower extremities was well maintained or improved in cases of two joint operations. Mutilating diseases (Ochi's classifications) tended to have multiple joint operations with a deterioration in quality of life. The timing of multiple joint operations is most important especially in mutilating diseases. For maintaining the high quality of life of rheumatoid arthritis patients, it is necessary to diagnose the type of diseases at an early stage and to perform the operative treatment before the occurrence of severe bone destruction or joint instability under positive drug therapy.