Radial and lumbar bone mineral density after wrist synovectomy in rheumatoid arthritis. A minimum 2-year follow-up in 10 unilaterally operated patients

Insufficiency fracture at the distal diaphysis of the radius after synovectomy combined with the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

We report here a rare case of insufficiency fracture at the distal diaphysis of the radius in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after synovectomy combined with the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure. A 71-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with RA had been consecutively treated with several disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. She had undergone synovectomy of the right wrist combined with the Sauvé-Kapandji procedure, due to a tendon rupture, 2 years before the current presentation (first visit). Although she had not experienced any recent trauma, the wrist pain had increased after she had lifted up the bedding at the funeral of her friend about 1 month prior to her first visit. Radiographs of her right wrist taken at the second visit showed a fracture at the distal diaphysis of the radius at the level of the excision osteotomy of the distal ulna; however, no displacement of the distal fragment was observed. We immobilized her forearm in a long-arm cast. However, after 3 weeks of cast immobilization, a displacement of the distal fragment was observed. A manual reduction of the displacement was performed and the arm was again immobilized in a long-arm cast. However, 1 week later, a displaced distal fragment was again observed. Subsequently, she received an open reduction and internal fixation using a volar locking plate and screws with an autologous iliac crest bone graft. Bone union was completed by 8 months following the operation.

Hand surgery in rheumatoid arthritis: state of the art and suggestions for research

OBJECTIVE

The role of surgery in the clinical management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated hand dysfunction is still a subject of controversy. The efficacy of surgery in RA-associated hand dysfunction is assessed through an exhaustive review of published studies.

METHODS

A high-sensitivity search strategy was used to identify in MedLine and CENTRAL original studies related to hand and wrist surgery in RA patients. We selected articles including at least two adult RA patients which evaluated clinical outcomes through an observational or experimental design. Eligible studies were evaluated by standardized criteria. Two investigators independently used a pre-defined form to extract data about patient population, intervention, follow-up and clinical outcomes. Disagreements were discussed and resolved.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety-six papers met inclusion criteria. Only five were randomized trials, while most studies followed an observational design, often of poor quality. As such, we could not pool data for statistical analysis; however, we were still able to provide a best evidence synthesis. A positive trend suggesting the efficacy of total carpal arthrodesis and metacarpophalangeal arthroplasty in reducing pain and improving function seemed to emerge from the published studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite recent advances in medical treatment, surgery still plays a role in the clinical management of RA-associated hand dysfunction. However, the majority of the available studies showed methodological flaws that prevented a clear definition of both surgical indications and criteria for choosing any specific procedure. Suggestions for further investigations are also provided.