A total of thirteen surgical procedures were performed on eight
patients, all of whom had a history of rheumatoid arthritis. Five patients
had bilateral hip and knee replacements and three patients had ipsilateral
hip and knee replacements for a total of twenty-six joint replacements.
Ambulatory status for all patients was significantly improved and all
patients subjectively reported a great reduction in pain postoperatively.
Complications included two transient peroneal-nerve palsies in the same
patient from which she recovered spontaneously, and one questionable
pulmonary embolus which resolved with heparin therapy. The relative
advantages of this type of procedure and the indications for and against
surgery are discussed.