Rheumatoid Arthritis

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a serious disease caused by a malfunction of the immune system that can develop at any age. Normally, the body „does not recognize” its own properly produced proteins, but „recognizes” and destroys only abnormally produced proteins or foreign proteins that have accidentally entered the body from outside, such as microbes or tumor cells. This is a normal defensive response of the body.

In a patient with RA, the body begins to destroy its own joints as if they were foreign. As a result, the joints become severely deformed, and the tendons and muscles shorten, thereby further exacerbating the deformities. Tendon ruptures are not uncommon. RA can also cause damage to other organs—such as the heart, nervous system, lungs, and eyes.

How to Treat and Relieve Symptoms

Nowadays, this condition is treated by rheumatologists, and many of its symptoms can be alleviated through the use of special orthoses or physical therapy. The assistance of a hand surgeon is necessary in cases where the patient is unable to care for themselves due to joint deformities, as well as in cases of severe pain and/or tendon rupture. In a classic case, the patient’s fingers bend toward the little finger and cannot be fully straightened. The thumb and other fingers develop pronounced „swan-neck deformities.” Over time, the fingers may lose sensation—become numb.

How the surgery is performed

During the surgery, the diseased joints are replaced with artificial silicone joints. Torn and deformed tendons are sutured and repositioned. For joints that have completely deteriorated as a result of arthritis, surgery is performed to render them completely immobile. The goal of the surgery is to reduce the patient’s pain and improve hand function. Very rarely is surgery performed solely to improve the appearance of the hand. Following surgical treatment, assistance from a physical therapist and an orthotist is essential.