[Time selection for RA synovectomy].
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the time selection for RA synovectomy.


METHODS
Eighty-six knees in 64 RA patients underwent synovectomy in 7 years. 8 of the 64 patients were in RA stage I, 26 in II, 24 in III, 8 in IV. The mean age was 43.9 years and the average follow-up period lasted 38.2 months.


RESULTS
Pain relief and swelling reduction were significant clinical features after synovectomy. The overall assessment of the effect of synovectomy showed satisfactory results (72.9%) including all RA-I, and RA-II (87.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
If the patients have sustained or intractable joint swollening with exuberant synovium after strict drug therapy over half a year, synovectomy is an appropriate consideration, it is very important to select the time for synovectomy.
Arthritis Clinic & Research Center, People's Hospital, Beijing Medical University.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000074402:Synovectomy; D013997:Time Factors