Effect of a high-intensity weight-bearing exercise program on radiologic damage progression of the large joints in subgroups of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether a high-intensity exercise program accelerates the rate of radiologic damage of the large joints in predefined subgroups of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: The data of 277 participants in a 2-year randomized controlled trial, comparing the effects of high-intensity exercises with usual care, were used. Linear regression analysis was used to test which predefined variables at baseline (age, disease duration, disease activity, physical capacity, functional ability, joint damage) modified the effect of high-intensity exercise on the progression of radiologic damage of the large joints over 24 months. RESULTS: Baseline radiologic joint damage was the only variable associated with the effect of high-intensity exercise on joint damage progression in large joints. In a subgroup of 218 patients with no or little joint damage (defined as Larsen score < or = 5; 80% of our study population) the proportions of patients with an increase in joint damage were similar for the exercise and usual-care group (35% versus 36%, risk ratio [RR] 1.0 [0.7-1.4]; P = not significant), whereas, in a subgroup of 59 patients who already had extensive damage of large joints (defined as Larsen score >5) the proportion was significantly higher in the exercise group (85% versus 48%, RR 1.8 [1.2-2.6]; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: High-intensity weight-bearing exercises appear to accelerate joint damage progression in patients with preexisting extensive damage. Patients with extensive large joint damage should, therefore, be advised to refrain from activities excessively loading the damaged joints.     

Severe erosive arthropathy requiring surgical treatments in systemic lupus erythematosus

We report a case of 43-year-old woman with an overlap syndrome of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and dermatomyositis who developed erosive arthritis with extracapsular cysts involving multiple joints. An extensive synovectomy for the left wrist joint and a total joint replacement for the right hip joint were required to achieve complete symptom relief. She was not diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This was a rare case of SLE manifesting non-RA erosive arthritis that required surgical interventions.     

"Milwaukee shoulder"--association of microspheroids containing hydroxyapatite crystals, active collagenase, ad neutral protease with rotator cuff defects. III. Morphologic and biochemical studies of an excised synovium showing chondromatosis

Synovial tissue excised from the unstable right shoulder joint of a patient with an absent rotator cuff, severe glenohumeral joint degeneration, and hydroxyapatite-containing microspherules, collagen types I, II, and III, active collagenase, and neutral protease in the joint fluid showed extensive osteochondromatosis histologically. Electronmicroscopy revealed calcific foci in microvilli which could easily escape into the adjacent joint space through areas denuded of synovial cells. Fibrocytes demonstrated intensive pinocytotic activity of unknown significance. Energy dispersive analysis showed elemental ratios consistent with hydroxyapatite. A literature review suggested some relationships between the various pathologic lesions present in this joint. Whether similar synovial changes exist in the opposite shoulder joint of this patient and in 3 other subjects with nearly identical clinical, radiographic, and joint fluid findings is not known.     

“Milwaukee shoulder”—association of microspheroids containing hydroxyapatite crystals,active collagenase,and neutral protease with rotator cuff defects. iii. morphologic and biochemical studies of an excised synovium showing chondromatosis

Synovial tissue excised from the unstable right shoulder joint of a patient with an absent rotator cuff, severe glenohumeral joint degeneration, and hydroxyapatite-containing microspherules, collagen types I, II, and III, active collagenase, and neutral protease in the joint fluid showed extensive osteochondromatosis histologically. Electronmicroscopy revealed calcific foci in microvilli which could easily escape into the adjacent joint space through areas denuded of synovial cells. Fibrocytes demonstrated intensive pinocytotic activity of unknown significance. Energy dispersive analysis showed elemental ratios consistent with hydroxyapatite. A literature review suggested some relationships between the various pathologic lesions present in this joint. Whether similar synovial changes exist in the opposite shoulder joint of this patient and in 3 other subjects with nearly identical clinical, radiographic, and joint fluid findings is not known.     

Severe erosive arthropathy requiring surgical treatments in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

We report a case of 43-year-old woman with an overlap syndrome of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and dermatomyositis who developed erosive arthritis with extracapsular cysts involving multiple joints. An extensive synovectomy for the left wrist joint and a total joint replacement for the right hip joint were required to achieve complete symptom relief. She was not diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This was a rare case of SLE manifesting non-RA erosive arthritis that required surgical interventions.     

Histological study of effects of colloidal 90 yttrium on knee joint tissues of rabbits.

The administration of 0-2-0-4 mCi 90 yttrium (90Y) into a normal rabbit knee joint fails to induce medical synovectomy and results in the proliferation of the synovialis. The synovial mesothelium shows early radiation damage but subsequently follows a restitution of the whole. Later (within 4 to 16 weeks) an extensive fibrosis of the stratum synovialis develops, as well as an occlusion and sclerosis of smaller synovial vessels and capillaries. These changes explain the beneficial therapeutic effect of 90Y in a chronic inflammatory joint effusion. After irradiation that joint cartilage shows an increased cellular proliferation of the superficial tangential cells and in the vicinity of the cruciate ligaments small foci of degenerated cartilage are present. The overall pattern of a joint treated with intra-articular 90Y corresponds to the histological pattern encountered regularly in joints of older people. Changes of the cartilage after the 90Y radiation could represent a factor predisposing the treated joint to a subsequent development of osteoarthrosis.     

Charcot Joint in Idiopathic Sensorimotor Neuropathy

Charcot joint or neuropathic arthropathy is described in certain neurological conditions. We report the case of a man who presented with a swollen ankle 10 days after a long walk, which rapidly progressed to a Charcot joint. A neurological examination revealed areflexia and insensitivity to temperature and pain. Electromyographic analysis showed a mixed sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Besides axonal loss and demyelinisation on sural nerve biopsy, prominent loss of unmyelinated fibres was demonstrated. Despite extensive investigations, no definite cause for this neuropathy could be found. Received: 11 May 1999 / Accepted: 7 September 1999     

Effect of a high‐intensity weight‐bearing exercise program on radiologic damage progression of the large joints in subgroups of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective

To investigate whether a high‐intensity exercise program accelerates the rate of radiologic damage of the large joints in predefined subgroups of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods

The data of 277 participants in a 2‐year randomized controlled trial, comparing the effects of high‐intensity exercises with usual care, were used. Linear regression analysis was used to test which predefined variables at baseline (age, disease duration, disease activity, physical capacity, functional ability, joint damage) modified the effect of high‐intensity exercise on the progression of radiologic damage of the large joints over 24 months.

Results

Baseline radiologic joint damage was the only variable associated with the effect of high‐intensity exercise on joint damage progression in large joints. In a subgroup of 218 patients with no or little joint damage (defined as Larsen score ≤5; 80% of our study population) the proportions of patients with an increase in joint damage were similar for the exercise and usual‐care group (35% versus 36%, risk ratio [RR] 1.0 [0.7–1.4]; P = not significant), whereas, in a subgroup of 59 patients who already had extensive damage of large joints (defined as Larsen score >5) the proportion was significantly higher in the exercise group (85% versus 48%, RR 1.8 [1.2–2.6]; P < 0.05).

Conclusion

High‐intensity weight‐bearing exercises appear to accelerate joint damage progression in patients with preexisting extensive damage. Patients with extensive large joint damage should, therefore, be advised to refrain from activities excessively loading the damaged joints.

     

The use of surgery and yttrium 90 in the management of extensive and diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis of large joints

OBJECTIVE: The surgical treatment of extensive diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) of large joints alone is unsatisfactory, with high rates of local recurrence. Post-synovectomy adjuvant treatment with external beam radiation therapy or intra-articular injection of yttrium 90 (90Y) yielded better results. We report our experience with 10 cases treated with debulking surgery followed by intra-articular injection of 90Y. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1989 and June 1998, 10 patients (eight males and two females aged 15-49 yr) with extensive diffuse PVNS were treated. In six patients the knee joint, in three patients the ankle joint, and in one patient the hip joint were involved. The 10 patients underwent 15 operations, one patient had three surgical procedures, and three patients underwent two surgeries (the intervals between re-operations for local recurrence were 2-4 yr). All patients had an intra-articular injection of 15-25 mCi (555-925 MBq) 90Y, 6-8 weeks after the last surgery. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time was 6 yr (range 2.5-12 yr). All patients were followed using repeated computerized tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), plain X-ray films and bone scans semi-annually. In nine patients, neither evidence of disease nor progression of bone or articular destruction were noted. In one patient, stabilization of disease was achieved with no further evidence of bony or articular damage. No complications were noticed after surgery or after the intra-articular 90Y injection. CONCLUSION: A combination of debulking surgery with intra-articular injection of 90Y for extensive diffuse PVNS of major joints is a reliable treatment method, with good results.     

Cystic Rheumatoid Arthritis--case report

Among the many radiological findings seen in Rheumatoid Arthritis RA small subchondral geodes and erosions are typical. Large geodes are far less common abnormalities and their presence may indicate diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. We present a case report of a 55-year old woman with seronegative RA that developed a large geode in the knee with extensive joint destruction.     

Plant Thorn Synovitis

Five children with an inflammatory monarthritis due to penetration of the joint by plant thorns are presented. The clinical presentation was that of a transient acute synovitis followed by a relatively asymptomatic period, and later by chronic arthritis often after the thorn injury was forgotten. Histopathology demonstrated a granulomatous synovitis. Polarized light microscopy facilitated identification of the plant tissue within the synovium. Conservative medical therapy was ineffective, but surgical excision of the affected synovium resulted in normal joint function. The differential diagnosis of monarthritis in children is extensive, and awareness of this condition is necessary to elicit a comprehensive history and to avoid delay in treatment.     

Tophaceous calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease of the temporomandibular joint

Tophaceous pseudogout is a rare manifestation of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition disease that particularly affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). We describe a case of tophaceous pseudogout and review the literature. Thirty-four cases of chronic CPPD deposition disease affecting the TMJ are described. Symptoms usually included pain and swelling. Most patients required surgery because of extensive crystal deposits, usually localized to the joint and adjacent structures but occasionally invasive. For many patients, malignancy was the preoperative diagnosis. Although patients with acute pseudogout of the TMJ may have involvement of other joints, tophaceous pseudogout was predominantly isolated to the TMJ.     

Articular cartilage lesions of the knee following immobilisation or destabilisation for 6 or 12 weeks in rabbits

Eighty mature feamle New Zealand White rabbits were sacrificed 6 or 12 weeks after either section of the medial collateral and the anterior cruciate ligaments with removal of the anterior third of the medial meniscus of one knee, or immobilisation of one knee, using the contralateral non-treated knee as the control. The area of degenerated joint surface of the distal femur, and water and proteoglycan content were measured, and the articular cartilage stained using haematoxylin and eosin and safranin O. Destabilisation resulted in a significantly larger time-dependent degenerated joint surface area. Water content significantly increased after 6 weeks with no significant differences between immobilisation and destabilisation. Destabilisation resulted in a significantly greater decrease in proteoglycan content. At 12 weeks, the control knees of the animals undergoing destabilisation showed significant degenerative changes. There were more extensive lesions in destabilisation, while 6 weeks of immobilisation produced moderate degenerative joint disease.     

Temporo-mandibular joint disease in ankylosing spondylitis.

The occurrence of temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) disease in ankylosing spondylitis is not widely recognized and its incidence is disputed. Seventy-nine patients attending two routine rheumatology clinics were therefore examined by dental surgeon and nine (11-5 per cent) were considered to have specific TMJ involvement. These patients were older than the remainder, and had more extensive spinal and peripheral joint disease. Symptoms were mild and the predominant clinical feature was restricted mouth opening, which could present considerable difficulties during emergency anaesthesia. Bilateral condylectomy was undertaken in one patient with some benefit.     

The M.D.R. index of function in rheumatoid arthritis

The M.D.R. index is a new instrument which has been designed to give a measurement of physical function in inflammatory joint disease. It is very easy to apply and is not time-consuming. In preliminary assessment, the index has proven to be highly reliable. It has also been sufficiently sensitive to detect short-term changes in functional capacity which were unrelated to changes in the severity of joint inflammation. The application of the index is inexpensive and does not require extensive training of personnel for its accurate use. It is expected that the M.D.R. index will prove to be suitable for widespread use as a clinical assessment of physical function.     

Radiographic damage of large joints in long-term rheumatoid arthritis and its relation to function

OBJECTIVE: To describe the extent of radiographic damage of large joints in long-term rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its relationship to small joint involvement and physical function. METHODS: After 12 yr of follow-up, radiographs of all large joints (Larsen large joint score 0-60) of 105 recent RA patients were assessed. Correlations were evaluated between the Larsen large joint score and radiographic damage of the hands and feet as measured by the van der Heijde modification of the Sharp score (SHS) and the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ). We determined the relative contributions of radiographic damage of small and large joints, disease activity and psychological function to the HAQ. RESULTS: The median Larsen large joint score was 3. In 54% of the patients at least one large joint was erosive. The correlation of the Larsen score with the SHS and HAQ scores was 0.76 and 0.60, respectively. Disease activity and radiographic damage of the large joints were the major determinants of the HAQ score. CONCLUSION: Large joint involvement after 12 yr of follow-up is extensive and is associated with functional disability. Large joint involvement is closely associated with small joint involvement.     

Massive bleeding episodes in patients with acquired haemophilia--case report

We present two cases with a history of acquired haemophilia with massive haemorrhage in the course of the disease. A 74-year-old man presented to the emergency room with an extensive, progressive swelling and haemorrhage in the region of left knee joint, both upper legs and forearms. Laboratory studies revealed the presence of the factor VIII inhibitor in the titer of 115 Bethesda U/mL, low level of factor VIII activity (19.2%) and severe anemia (Hb - 7.0 g%). The patient was treated with FFP transfusions and prednisone with cyclophosphamide to eradicate factor VIII inhibitor. The remission was achieved and lasts for a two years. A 52-year-old woman presented to the emergency room with an extensive subcutaneous haemorrhage in the region of right knee joint and right lower leg. Laboratory studies revealed the presence of the factor VIII inhibitor in the titer of 30 Bethesda U/mL. The factor VIII activity level was only 4%. The patient did not receive the FFP because the severity of the haemorrhage was low. She was treated with steroids. The factor VIII inhibitor disappeared after 2.5 months of therapy.     

Idiopathic haemorrhagic rupture of the shoulder in destructive disease of the elderly.

The cases of two patients with hydroxyapatite crystal associated destructive disease of the shoulder are described who have developed gross haemorrhagic effusions with spontaneous joint rupture and extensive soft tissue damage. No collagenase activity was found in the synovial fluid. Other possible mechanisms of the destructive process are discussed.     

Arthrographic study of the rheumatoid knee. Part 1. Synovial proliferation.

The improved method of double-contrast arthrography for the knee joint, which can give extensive information on the intra-articular components, was undertaken in 131 knee joints with classical rheumatoid arthritis. Synovial proliferation was classified by its localisation into 6 types: nonproliferated (NP); localised, subdivided into suprapatellar pouch (SPP), proper articular (PA), and posterior (POST); panarticular (PAN); and burned out type (BO). These types are intimately related to the radiological stage and pathological changes of the articular cartilage and menisci. By following the dynamic changes of synovial proliferation by arthrography the clinical course of the rheumatoid knee joint may be predicted. While in the NP and SPP types destruction of the joint is minimal, it is relatively rapid and severe in the PA and PAN types. Thus the proliferation in the joint proper has a stronger influence on joint destruction than does the suprapatellar pouch. From these results synovectomy to resect proliferated synovial tissues of the joint proper completely, and to resect those of the suprapatellar pouch only superficially in the early stage, was undertaken in 21 rheumatoid arthritic joints, giving excellent results in 80.9%. The advantages of this method are discussed.