Unexpected outcome for joint replacement in rheumatoid arthritis

Joint replacement in rheumatoid arthritis may be more beneficial than previously thought, according to two studies from the Hospital for Special Surgery.

One study counters the belief that people with rheumatoid arthritis have worse outcomes after knee replacement surgery than those who have osteoarthritis. The other research suggests that people with rheumatoid arthritis who have hip replacements are as likely to have significant improvements in function and pain as those with osteoarthritis – but were not doing as well two years later.

There seems to be a difference in knee replacement and hip replacement in people with rheumatoid arthritis.  

“Perhaps the rheumatoid arthritis patients undergoing hip replacement are delaying their surgery too long,” says Dr Susan Goodman who led both studies. “Maybe if we intervene sooner, we would do better functionally.”