Skip to content
My WebMD Sign In, Sign Up
Font Size
A
A
A

Rheumatoid Arthritis - Surgery

Surgical treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is used to relieve severe pain and improve function of severely deformed joints that don't respond to medication and physical therapy.

Total joint replacement (arthroplasty) can be done for many different joints in the body. Its success varies depending on which joint is replaced.

Recommended Related to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Coping With Fatigue, Weakness, and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Most people think of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as a disease that causes joint pain. But if you have RA, you know that fatigue and weakness can exact their toll as well. "RA is actually much more than a joint disease," says M. Elaine Husni, MD, MPH. Husni is vice chair of rheumatology and director of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Center at the Cleveland Clinic. "RA is a systemic [body-wide] inflammatory disease," she explains. "That's why you get the other, what we call "constitutional," symptoms...

Read the Coping With Fatigue, Weakness, and Rheumatoid Arthritis article > >

Surgery Choices

Surgeries considered for people who have severe rheumatoid arthritis include:

What to Think About

Joint surgery often restores near-normal movement in a person who has osteoarthritis in just one or two joints. But this is not the case in people affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

  • Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects multiple joints, particularly smaller joints, such as finger joints, which are needed for many daily activities. Surgical treatment may not be an option for all of the affected joints.
  • Joint surgery or replacement can relieve disabling pain and restore enough motion to allow you to do your daily activities. But it will seldom restore the joint to normal.
  • The most successful procedures for this disease are carpal tunnel release (in the wrist), resection of the metatarsal heads (in the foot), and total hip and total knee joint replacements.

Before you decide to have surgery, consult with an orthopedic surgeon who is experienced in joint surgery for rheumatoid arthritis. For more information, see:

Questions to Consider About Joint Surgery.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: April 14, 2011
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.
Next Article:

How Well Are You Managing RA?

Take the WebMD RA Assessment to get a personalized plan for managing your RA symptoms.

get started

Today in RA

RA Overview Slideshow
Slideshow
senior woman holding green apple
Article
 
chronic pain
Health Check
Man with knee brace
Article
 
human heart
Article
boy with serious expression
Article
 
salad
Video
Woman massaging her neck
Quiz
 
Trainer demonstrating exercise for RA
Slideshow
Woman rubbing shoulder
Slideshow
 
Young adult woman suffering from aches
Article
Woman practicing cat pose
Video
 

WebMD Special Sections