Abstract

In many cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) joints of the upper extremities are affected. However, involvement of weight bearing joints of the lower extremities is strongly associated with a decreased activities of daily living ability such as gait disorder. Once the progression of weight bearing joint destruction occurs, lower extremity function will decrease even if RA disease activity is improved by pharmacotherapy. In this article, we investigated joint destruction suppressing effects of pharmacotherapy on the hip and knee joints, as well as risk factors for joint destruction. We also discuss surgical treatment strategies and clinical outcomes for progressive joint destruction.

Keywords: Joint destruction, pharmacotherapy, rheumatoid arthritis, synovium, treatment strategy, weight bearing joint.