title: Controversy in the treatment of the rheumatoid hand: perspective from hand surgery.
abstract: Over the years there has been controversy between rheumatologists and surgeons regarding surgery for the correction of rheumatoid problems. There are many reasons for this controversy. This article explores the reasons for the controversy, presents the history of rheumatoid hand surgery, and offers some possible solutions to the problem.
authors.affiliation: The Curtis National Hand Center, Union Memorial Hospital, 3333 North Calvert Street, JPB-M2, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA. shaw.wilgis@medstar.net
authors.forename: E F Shaw
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Wilgis
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006225:Hand / Q000601:surgery; D006227:Hand Deformities, Acquired / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans