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THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE RHEUMATOID METACARPO-PHALANGEAL JOINT

Michael McMaster 1

1 Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola, Finland, Oswestry, England

1. One hundred and twenty-six metacarpo-phalangeal joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis were studied macroscopically at either synovectomy or arthroplasty.

2. The sites and extent of the initial erosion corresponded with the sites and size of the synovial pouches.

3. The areas of cartilage degeneration were related to the degree of flexion, ulnar deviation and subluxation of the proximal phalanx on the metacarpal head.

4. The routine radiographic findings were not a true reflection of all the pathological changes within the joint.

5. It is suggested that by encouraging joint movement and preventing deformity the degree of cartilage degeneration may be diminished.
(c) British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery All Rights Reserved
Registered charity no: 209299     Print ISSN: 0301-620X
Hip, Knee, Trauma, Upper limb, Foot & Ankle, Paediatrics, Oncology, Spine, Arthroplasty, General