Arthroscopic synovectomy for rheumatoid wrists and elbows.

Purpose: To evaluate the treatment outcome of wrist and elbow arthroscopic synovectomy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: 3 men and 18 women aged 27 to 71 (mean, 54) years underwent arthroscopic synovectomy for rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist (n=12) and elbow (n=13). All patients had received multiple medications including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and steroids, as well as physiotherapy and splintage for 6 months, but the joint pain and disability persisted.