Joint replacement for rheumatoid arthritis: When, why, and how! Insights from an orthopedic surgeon.

Abstract

The past several decades have seen significant advancements in joint replacement surgery for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Joint replacement procedures have become vital options for patients with severe joint damage and functional impairment. There has been an increased emphasis on personalized surgical strategies that tailor joint replacement decisions based on a patient's unique clinical characteristics and the extent of joint damage. Achieving personalized outcomes requires clearly understanding the patient's baseline joint function and comparative data on different prosthetic designs and techniques. Comprehensive preoperative preparation is fundamental to ensuring surgical success. This includes thoroughly evaluating the patient's medication history, the extent of joint damage, and overall systemic health. Despite careful surgical planning, trade-offs between different replacement options often remain. In this paper, we review the perioperative preparation and surgical techniques in joint replacement surgery for RA. Additionally, we discuss the challenges in optimizing postoperative rehabilitation and preventing complications, which remains a key factor in achieving full recovery and maximizing the benefits of joint replacement surgery for RA patients. The pathological basis of RA is an acute or chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane. As a result, synovial joints throughout the body can be affected, including joints in the upper limbs (shoulders, elbows, wrists, metacarpophalangeal joints, and interphalangeal joints) as well as in the lower limbs (hips, knees, and ankles). If drug treatments fail to control inflammation adequately, recurrent synovitis in the affected joints can lead to swelling, effusion, cartilage erosion, and eventual cartilage loss. Due to decreased weight-bearing, along with the use of various medications-particularly glucocorticoids-widespread subchondral bone osteoporosis, bone marrow edema, and bone destruction may occur, leading to cystic degeneration and even extensive bone defects. In the advanced stages of RA, deformities can develop, such as "boutonniere" and "swan-neck" deformities in the fingers, ulnar deviation of the wrist, "otto pelvic" due to central acetabular erosion and dislocation of the hip, varus or valgus deformities of the knee, flexion contractures, and destruction or fusion of the ankle joint. The foot can also present deformities, such as hallux valgus and overlapping toes. Total joint replacement surgery has become the most effective surgical treatment for severe joint destruction and deformities in late-stage RA. Among all joints, the hip and knee are the most frequently replaced, as their dysfunction severely impacts the patient's ability to walk, leading to disability and loss of mobility. In this review, we provided a comprehensive discussion on the perioperative management of patients with RA, focusing on preoperative preparation, intraoperative planning, and postoperative rehabilitation and assessment. Rheumatology Department Perspective on Preoperative Preparation for RA Joint Replacement Surgery.