RUPTURE OF THE HAND AND WRIST TENDONS IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

We report our experience with 23 patients with rheumatoid arthritis wh o presented 48 tendon lesions involving 32 extensor tendons and 16 fle xion tendons. Translocations of healthy tendons, overlapping with adja cent healthy tendons and tendon grafts were performed. Results for ext ensor tendons, expressed as defect in residual extension were excellen t in 8 patients, good in 5 and medicore in 4. For flexor tendons, ther e were 2 excellent results and 5 mediocre results in terms of thumb-pa lm contact. Prevention by early synovectomy is particularly important.