Number of Joint Surgeries Down Among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

The rate of joint surgery in rheumatoid arthritis patients hit an all-time high in the 1990s -- and since then it has been declining, according to a report presented at the 2009 ACR (American College of Rheumatology) meeting. Over the past 25 years, rheumatoid arthritis treatment options have greatly improved, and perhaps so has the need for joint replacement.

Researchers found that the rate of knee replacement in patients age 40-59 years dropped 19% from the period 1983-1987 to 2003-2007. Over the same time period, hip replacement rates dropped by 40%. Researchers concluded that younger patients are having fewer joint replacements compared to the last decade.

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