Review Article Total Knee Arthroplasty Considerations in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Copyright © 2013 Jonathan R. Danoff et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Thedefinitive treatment for advanced joint destruction in the late stages of rheumatoid arthritis can be successfully treatedwith total joint arthroplasty. Total knee arthroplasty has been shown to be a well-proven modality that can provide pain relief and restoration of mobility for those with debilitating knee arthritis. It is important for rheumatologists and orthopedic surgeons alike to share an understanding of the special considerations that must be addressed in this unique population of patients to ensure success in the immediate perioperative and postoperative periods including specific modalities to maximize success. 1