title: The pattern of meniscus damage in the rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Forty-seven knees with rheumatoid arthritis were synovectomized. The changes at the cartilage surface were always more grave when seen at the operation as was expected from the conventional X-rays. On the other hand degenerative changes of the menisci were more advanced than those in the cartilages. An important destructive factor was the almost constant pannus-filled erosion found at the upper corner of the tibia under the menisci. Thus, it is indicated to remove the menisci if they show a slightest degree of destruction.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000601:surgery; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology; D000074402:Synovectomy; D013977:Tibia / Q000473:pathology