title: Rheumatoid elbow.
abstract: The elbow is often involved in the progression of rheumatoid arthritis. Because of the elbow's unique role in maneuvering and positioning the hand in space, loss of normal elbow motion, loss of stability, or increased pain with the use of the elbow are all significant sources of impairment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The improvements in disease-modifying medications have greatly diminished the prevalence of severe elbow degeneration among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, it hasn't been eliminated. In this article the authors discuss strategies for managing it.
authors.affiliation: VA Boston Healthcare, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, USA. GDYER@PARTNERS.ORG
authors.forename: George S M
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Dyer
authors.forename: Philip E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Blazar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004550:Elbow / Q000601:surgery; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular