Basic principles for the treatment of the rheumatoid hand

This article discusses the overall approach to rheumatoid arthritis patients requiring surgery of the hand. Many rheumato-orthopedic operations do not require the skills of a specially trained orthopedic surgeon. What is essential is familiarity with the basic operative techniques in surgery of the rheumatoid hand. Reduced resistance to infection due to the effects of pharmaceutical agents and the progress of rheumatoid arthritis itself requires particularly delicate treatment of tissue and preventive use of antibiotics.