Take Action Now Some people with rheumatoid arthritis require
surgery to reconstruct or replace a damaged joint. InteliHealth
Medical Content Some people with rheumatoid arthritis require
surgery to reconstruct or replace a damaged joint. Surgery is
usually recommended when drug treatment alone can no longer
improve the situation. The right time for surgery is a matter of
judgment yours and your health care provider's. Surgery is
usually viewed as a last resort to reduce pain and/or improve
function. (However, some hand surgeons advocate early surgical
intervention to remove inflamed tissue and to help protect the
joints and nearby tendons.) The most common surgical procedures
for rheumatoid arthritis are synovectomy (removal of the
inflamed tissue that lines the joint) and arthroplasty (meaning
joint repair, including joint replacement). The choice depends,
in part, on which joints are involved, how severe the damage is,
and whether you have any other medical problems. Total joint
replacement, most commonly