Arthroscopic treatment for the rheumatoid arthritis with solitary joint involvement / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective One of the characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis was multiple joints involved symmetrically. The purpose was to study the method of early diagnosis and treatment for the atypical rheumatoid arthritis involving solitary joint. Methods From April 1997 to December 2002, 5 cases which were 1 male and 4 female patients with an average age of 36.8 years (range, 23 to 47 years), suffered from the swelling and pain of knee joint, and were diagnosed as early rheumatoid arthritis. The interval of the onset to surgical treatment ranged from 2 months to 3 years with a mean of 16.2 months. The patients were evaluated with serum test, joint fluids examination and radiological imaging. They were treated by the synovectomy under the arthroscopy, while the appearances of the joint under arthroscopy were recorded, and the synovial tissue was sent to the pathological examination. The improvements of the joints symptoms and the range of motion were assessed at final follow up. Results During the operation, the light green and little muddy joint fluids were found in all patients. ESR of the patients ranged from 29 to 51 mm/1h with an average of 32.2 mm/1h, all of which were higher than normal value, whereas, 3 cases had positive rheumatoid factor and 4 cases showed significant higher ?2-MG. The radiographic findings were osteoporosis in 3 cases, soft tissue swelling in 4 cases and narrowed joint space in 1 case. The synovium were proliferated and enlarged in dark violet, there were creeping pannus and necrosis fibrin deposition in the cartilage. All of the patients were diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis confirmed by pathological changes of the synovium. The patients were followed up from 4 months to 5 years (mean, 18.7 months). Pain released in 5 cases, swelling reduced in 3 cases, the range of motion improved by 19 degrees. Unfortunately, all of the patients developed later into typical rheumatoid arthritis after the mean interval of 10.9 months (range, 3 to 25 months), the symptoms were consistent with the criteria of American Rheumatoid Association . Conclusion Solitary joint with rheumatoid arthritis is rare and may be the early status of rheumatoid arthritis. The specific appearance under the arthroscopy prompt the early diagnosis of the knee rheumatoid arthritis, and synovectomy by arthroscopy may be benificial to release the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.