title: Current concepts in the management of the rheumatoid hand.
abstract: Hand surgeons are an integral part of the management team for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. There is now a greater understanding of the national use of rheumatoid hand surgery, which highlights the differences between hand surgeons and rheumatologists regarding the treatment of the rheumatoid hand. Advances in medical treatments have also decreased the prevalence of hand deformities caused by this disease. Hand surgeons today have less exposure to treating rheumatoid hand, but despite more effective medical options, surgery may still offer patients hope for improvement of hand function and appearance. This article summarizes the current state of rheumatoid hand surgery and discuss the surgical treatment strategies for optimizing outcomes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
authors.affiliation: Section of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0340, USA. kecchung@umich.edu
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Allison G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Pushman
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006227:Hand Deformities, Acquired / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal