I find that rheumatologists never agree to surgical correction of the hands. Is there any special reason?

Ask the Doctor: Questions about Rheumatoid Arthritis


Stephen A. Paget, MD, FACP, FACR

Physician-in-Chief and Chairman of the Division of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery
The Joseph P. Routh Professor of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University


I am 58 years old and got rheumatoid arthritis suddenly after a hysterectomy. Medicines are not able to control the arthritis. Both hands and wrists are so badly deviated, with bone degradation, that I have it's been suggested to have hand surgery. My rheumatologist does not want me to have the surgery. I find that rheumatologists never agree to surgical correction of the hands. Is there any special reason?

Answer: Hand surgery can be amazingly helpful. However, a good hand surgeon will often not recommend surgery because they feel that your function will be worse after surgery, even if the hand looks better cosmetically. If a hand surgeon does not recommend hand surgery, listen to them.

posted 8/11/2004