Rheumatoid Arthritis Health Center

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Synovectomy for rheumatoid arthritis

Synovectomy surgery is done to remove inflamed joint tissue (synovium) that is causing unacceptable pain or is limiting your ability to function or your range of motion. Ligaments and other structures may be moved aside to access and remove the inflamed joint lining. The procedure may be done using arthroscopy.

What To Expect After Surgery

As soon as possible after surgery, a physical therapist will teach you how and when to move the joint. Recovery depends on the surgical technique used and the location of the incisions.

Following knee synovectomy, your knee will be immobilized in a removable cast, and physical therapy is started after 1 to 2 days.

Why It Is Done

Synovectomy may be used to treat joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis that have minimal bone or cartilage destruction when medicine has not relieved pain.

Synovectomy may be considered if significant pain persists after 6 to 12 months of drug treatment, including the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

How Well It Works

Synovectomy does not cure the disease, but it may relieve symptoms temporarily.¹

Risks

Risks of synovectomy include the risks of surgery and using anesthesia and a slight risk of infection and bleeding within the joint.

There may also be a loss in the range of motion of the joint, or the inflammation in the joint may return.

What To Think About

Synovectomy is a useful treatment option for early rheumatoid arthritis that has not improved with medication, including DMARDs or corticosteroid injections. It may provide only temporary relief.

Complete the surgery information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this surgery.

Citations

Lipsky PE (2008). Rheumatoid arthritis. In AS Fauci et al., eds., Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th ed., vol. 2, pp. 2083–2092. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Author	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
Last Updated	August 18, 2008

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: August 18, 2008

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.