RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcome of arthroscopic synovectomy for persistent rheumatoid synovitis of the knee joints. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Manipal. PATIENTS: Fifty two knee joints in 46 patients. MEASUREMENTS: The effect of the procedure and its influence in the progression of the disease process on knee joints were assessed in terms of reduction of pain, improvement in range of motion, improvement in functional activity and recurrence of synovitis with effusion. RESULTS: During the average follow up period of 5 years, the patients showed appreciable improvement (90% of knee joints) until 3 years of follow up. At the end of 5 years of follow up, it reduced to about 75%. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic synovectomy along with medical treatment can control the disease process and preserve the knee joint function for up to 3 years.