The DUROM cup humeral surface replacement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Rotator cuff repair during shoulder arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis. Evaluation of surgeries for rheumatoid shoulder based on the destruction pattern. [Bipolar shoulder prosthesis for rheumatoid arthritis with irreparable rotator cuff tear: results after 5 years' follow-up]. Rotator cuff repair in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Grammont reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and nonreconstructible rotator cuff lesions. Arthroscopic rotator cuff debridement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Augmented subscapularis muscle transposition for rotator cuff repair during shoulder arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Total shoulder replacement in rheumatoid arthritis: proximal migration and loosening. A crossover trial evaluating an educational-behavioural joint protection programme for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Off-the-shelf orthopedic footwear for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Humeral head replacement for glenohumeral arthritis. Copeland surface replacement arthroplasty of the shoulder in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthroplasty of the shoulder in rheumatoid arthritis with rotator cuff dysfunction. Total shoulder replacement in rheumatoid disease: 7- to 13-year follow-up of 37 joints. Total shoulder arthroplasty versus hemiarthroplasty for rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulder: results of 303 consecutive cases. A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of community based physical therapy in the treatment of people with rheumatoid arthritis. The results of shoulder arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Total shoulder arthroplasty: long-term survivorship, functional outcome, and quality of life. Outcome of Copeland surface replacement shoulder arthroplasty. Effect of interleukin-6 receptor inhibition with tocilizumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (OPTION study): a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial. Lack of radiological and clinical benefit over two years of low dose prednisolone for rheumatoid arthritis: results of a randomised controlled trial.
Rheumatoid arthritis often leads to severe destruction of the glenohumeral joint, including synovitis and inflammation-induced alterations of the rotator cuff. Cup arthroplasty, or surface replacement of the shoulder, was introduced in the 1980s. The aim of this study was to evaluate the midterm results of the DUROM cup surface replacement for patients with rheumatoid arthritis affecting the glenohumeral joint.
                From 1997 to 2000, forty-two DUROM cup hemiprostheses were implanted in a cohort of thirty-five patients (forty-two shoulders), who were evaluated preoperatively and again at three, twelve, and more than sixty months postoperatively. Six patients (seven shoulders) were lost to follow-up. Thirty-five shoulders in twenty-nine patients (twenty-one women and eight men with an average age of 61.4 years) could be evaluated prospectively after an average follow-up period of 73.1 months. Patients were evaluated clinically with the use of the Constant score, and a detailed radiographic analysis was performed to determine the presence of endoprosthetic loosening, glenohumeral subluxation, and glenoid bone loss.
                The mean Constant score for the thirty-five shoulders increased from 20.8 points preoperatively to 64.3 points at a mean of 73.1 months postoperatively. There were three revisions: one to replace an implant that was too large, another to treat glenoid erosion, and a third due to loosening of the implant. No additional cases of loosening of the prosthesis or changes in cup position were observed radiographically. Over the five-year follow-up period, proximal migration of the cup increased in 63% of the shoulders, and the glenoid depth increased in 31%. With the numbers studied, no differences in clinical outcome were identified between patients with a massive rotator cuff tear and those with a smaller or no tear.
                The midterm results of the cemented DUROM cup surface replacement for patients with advanced rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulder are very encouraging, even for patients with a massive tear of the rotator cuff. The advantage of this cup arthroplasty is the less complex bone-sparing surgery. In the event of failure of the implant, other reliable salvage options remain. A prospective study of 40 shoulder arthroplasties in patients with rheumatoid arthritis was performed to evaluate the results of rotator cuff repair at the time of arthroplasty. A large cuff tear was present in 21 shoulders, and good repair of the cuff was performed in 9. In the other shoulders the repair was considered insufficient. All patients were clinically evaluated using the Hospital for Special Surgery 100-point scoring system. The minimum follow-up period for inclusion in this study was 2 years. The quality of the repair of the ruptured cuff at the time of surgery had a significant influence on the postoperative clinical score (linear regression model, P = .002). The clinical score of the shoulders with good repair of the rotator cuff improved considerably and continued to improve even after the first-year follow-up examination. Meticulous repair of the ruptured cuff at the time of arthroplasty is recommended. To identify the optimal treatment of rheumatoid shoulder, we analyzed the clinical results of shoulder surgeries according to each type of shoulder destruction pattern.
                Forty-seven shoulder surgeries for rheumatoid arthritis (18 arthroscopic synovectomies, 10 total shoulder replacements, 19 humeral head replacements) were assessed clinically and compared in regard to 5 different destruction patterns of rheumatoid shoulder (nonprogressive, arthrosis-like, erosive, collapse, and mutilating patterns).
                For nonprogressive-type shoulders, we were able to obtain both pain relief and range of motion (ROM) improvement with arthroscopic synovectomy. For erosive-type shoulders, we could obtain pain relief but no ROM improvement with synovectomy; and we obtained both pain relief and ROM improvement with prosthetic replacement. For the collapse-type shoulders, we could not obtain pain relief or ROM improvement with arthroscopic synovectomy, but did obtain pain relief with prosthetic replacement. For mutilating-type shoulders, we could obtain only pain relief with prosthetic replacement. The results of the various surgeries for rheumatoid shoulder were distinctly different depending on the shoulder destruction patterns.
                These findings could be of value for the selection of treatment, including a surgical procedure, for rheumatoid shoulders. For the nonprogressive-type and for erosive-type shoulders before bone destruction progresses, arthroscopic synovectomy should be selected. For erosive-type shoulders after bone destruction, for the collapse-type, and for mutilating-type shoulders, prosthetic replacement should be selected. In regard to the prosthetic replacement, the humeral component should be cemented because the incidence of migration in noncemented humeral component procedures was high. The goal of this study was to assess the clinical and radiological outcome of bipolar shoulder prosthesis in twelve shoulders with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and irreparable rotator cuff tears.
                The follow-up was more than five years (range 2-9 years). In addition, in order to investigate the effect of rheumatoid arthritis on outcome, results were compared with ten bipolar shoulder prostheses implanted for osteoarthritis with massive rotator cuff tears.
                The mean preoperative Constant score was 16.9 points with 2.6 points for pain, 4.2 points for activity, 9.5 points for motion and 0.6 points for force. The preoperative active motion was 63.8 degrees for forward flexion, 45 degrees for abduction and 12 degrees for active external rotation. At last follow-up, the average Constant score was 39.4 points with 10.7 points for pain, 10.8 points for activity, 13.8 points for motion and 4.1 points for force. Regarding the active motion, mean forward flexion was 83.7 degrees, 70.4 degrees for abduction and 29.1 degrees for external rotation. The complication rate was low, mainly superior migration due to infraspinatus tear and glenoid wear. Satisfactory deltoid arm level was achieved in all patients and no loosening was observed. Preoperative and postoperative scores of the rheumatoid group were not significantly different from the arthritis group (p<0.001).
                Our findings suggest that bipolar shoulder prosthesis provides a viable replacement alternative in RA combined with massive rotator cuff tear with a low rate of complication. Bipolar shoulder prosthesis demonstrates no clear superiority over conventional hemiarthroplasty regarding improved motion and glenoid wear. In addition, no significant difference with arthritis was observed (p<0.05), assuming that outcome depends principally on the preoperative condition of the rotator cuff.
                Some massive tears involving the subscapularis tendon can lead to anterior recurrence after bipolar shoulder prosthesis. They might be a limit to the procedure and require a reversed shoulder prosthesis or a glenohumeral arthrodesis. Currently, there is very little information available regarding the results of rotator cuff repair in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, we reviewed our experience to determine the results, the risk factors for an unsatisfactory outcome, and the rates of failure of this procedure.
                We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had undergone repair of a rotator cuff tear at our institution from 1988 to 2002. Twenty-three shoulders in twenty-one patients were identified. The median duration of follow-up for the twenty shoulders that did not require revision surgery was 9.7 years. Nine shoulders had a partial-thickness tear, and fourteen had a full-thickness tear. The shoulders were assessed with regard to pain, functional outcome, and overall patient satisfaction.
                Patients with both partial and full-thickness rotator cuff tears had significant improvements in terms of overall pain (p < 0.05) and satisfaction (p < 0.05). Patients who had undergone repair of a partial-thickness tear had improved active elevation (from 155 degrees to 180 degrees; p = 0.03), whereas patients who had undergone repair of a full-thickness tear did not have improved elevation. Six of the fourteen shoulders with a full-thickness tear had an unsatisfactory result, whereas only two of the nine shoulders with a partial-thickness tear had an unsatisfactory result.
                Rotator cuff repair in patients with rheumatoid arthritis can be challenging. However, durable pain relief and patient satisfaction can be achieved. Functional gains should not be expected in patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Repair of the rotator cuff in patients with rheumatoid arthritis can be undertaken when nonoperative measures for pain relief have failed. This study was undertaken to determine whether patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis and irreparable rotator cuff rupture can be treated successfully with the Grammont shoulder arthroplasty. Seven patients with rheumatoid arthritis (8 shoulders) with nonreconstructible rotator cuff lesions and Larsen stage-V radiographic changes of the glenoid and the humeral head underwent a Grammont reverse shoulder arthroplasty. The Constant score improved from a mean of 17 points (range 4 to 25) preoperatively to a mean of 63 points (range 41 to 79) at a mean of 54 months (range 48 to 73) after shoulder arthroplasty. The mean strength at 90 degrees of abduction measured 3.6 kg (range 1 to 6). Shoulder instability was not observed. Complications included septic implant loosening (1 shoulder), aseptic glenoid loosening (2), and failed acromion osteosynthesis following the transacromial approach (3). These data of Grammont arthroplasty are encouraging with respect to restoration of stability and satisfactory function in rheumatoid, cuff-deficient shoulders. However, glenoid loosening remained a serious problem, and transacromial approaches were complicated by failure of acromial fixation. There is little information available concerning the results of rotator cuff debridement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We performed a review of 16 shoulders with underlying RA that underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff tear debridement; there were 10 full-thickness tears and 6 partial-thickness tears. Of the 10 patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears, 8 had unsatisfactory results, whereas none of the patients with partial-thickness tears had unsatisfactory results. Pain was improved in 5 of 6 shoulders with partial-thickness cuff tears, whereas only 5 of 10 with full-thickness tears had an improvement with regard to pain. Motion did not improve in either group. Patients with RA who require operative intervention for pain relief because of rotator cuff tearing can be treated successfully with debridement alone. However, pain relief was less predictable with large or massive tears when compared with partial-thickness tears, and functional gains were not achieved in either group. The effectiveness of rotator cuff repair by augmented subscapularis transposition via the Leeds-Keio artificial ligament was evaluated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty. The minimum follow-up period was 2 years. Final clinical scores (Hospital for Special Surgery scoring system) and the incidence of radiolucency and upward migration of shoulder components in 20 shoulders with rotator cuff repair by augmented subscapularis transposition were superior to those of 19 shoulders with cuff repair by subscapularis transposition alone and similar to those of 22 shoulders with intact rotator cuffs. In shoulders with augmented subscapularis transposition and intact cuffs, clinical scores continued to improve even after the first postoperative year. Our augmented subscapularis transposition did not increase postoperative complications. We conclude that cuff repair by augmented subscapularis transposition is an acceptable alternative for repairing a supraspinatus or supraspinatus and infraspinatus rotator cuff defect in rheumatoid arthritis patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty. A prospective study of 62 Neer mark II total shoulder arthroplasties performed during the period from 1981 to 1990 on 51 patients with rheumatoid arthritis was undertaken to evaluate factors associated with component loosening and proximal humeral migration. Thirty-two (51%) showed proximal migration of the humerus before surgery was performed. The mean follow-up time was 92 months (range 52 to 139 months). The results revealed proximal migration in 55% of the patients (34 shoulders), and 40% (25 shoulders) showed progressive radiographic loosening of the glenoid component. Five of 12 press-fit humeral components demonstrated progressive radiographic loosening, whereas no signs of loosening were found in 50 cemented humeral components. In spite of progressive component loosening and progressive migration, this study demonstrated good pain relief in 89% of the patients (55 shoulders) and also a significant improvement in range of movement and function. The presence of proximal humeral migration did not significantly influence the average results-neither pain relief, range of movement, abduction force, nor function. Also, component loosening did not significantly influence the average pain relief, range of movement, abduction force, or function. The risk of clinical asymptomatic loosening is a relatively late complication that is eventually followed by pronounced bone destruction related to the loose component. Long-term radiographic control of total shoulders with rheumatoid arthritis is recommended. Hemiarthroplasty with a cemented humeral prosthesis may be a better treatment in the end stage of rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulder. Joint protection (JP) is a self-management technique widely taught to people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). JP education aims to enable people with RA to reduce pain, inflammation, joint stress and reduce risks of deformity through using assistive devices and alternative movement patterns of affected joints to perform everyday activities. Previous studies evaluating JP education methods common in the UK have identified JP adherence is poor. A group education programme was developed using the Health Belief Model and Self-efficacy Theory. Strategies used to maximise JP adherence included goal-setting, contracting, modelling, homework programmes, motor learning theory, recall enhancing methods and mental practice. A crossover trial (n = 35) was conducted. Adherence with JP was measured using an objective observational test (the Joint Protection Behaviour Assessment). Significant improvements in use of JP were recorded at 12 and 24 weeks post-education (P < 0.01). No significant changes in measures of pain, functional disability, grip strength, self-efficacy or helplessness occurred post-education, although this may have been due to the small sample size recruited. In conclusion, JP adherence can be facilitated through the use of educational-behavioural strategies, suggesting this approach should be more widely adopted in clinical practice. To assess the effectiveness of off-the-shelf orthopedic footwear for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) reporting chronic foot pain, in terms of self-reported pain and physical function, as well as objectively measured gait variables using an electric footswitch walkway.
                A small, randomized, controlled trial followed by a larger repeated measures analysis was used.
                The control group (n = 15) demonstrated no significant changes over a 2-month period in pain, physical function, or gait scores. In contrast, after supply of the footwear both the original footwear group (n = 15) and the control group demonstrated significant improvements, with small to large effect sizes, in weight-bearing pain scores, physical function, gait velocity, and gait stride length without increases in use of arthritis medications or walking aids.
                These data suggest that off-the-shelf orthopedic footwear is beneficial for people with RA even when subjects were unselected on basis of age, sex, disease duration, or disability as measured by the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire. From July 1977 through March of 1983, humeral head replacement was performed on 35 shoulders with osteoarthritis and 32 shoulders with rheumatoid arthritis and followed-up for an average of 9.3 years. Satisfactory pain relief was achieved in 44 (66%) and 52 of the shoulders (78%) were described by patients as being much better or better. Active elevation was improved from an average of 84 degrees to an average of 110 degrees with external rotation improving from 20 degrees to 44 degrees. Strength improvement also occurred. Only three complications developed, and these did not affect the final outcome. Because of moderate or severe pain, 12 shoulders (18%) required revision to total shoulder arthroplasty, and all patients were relieved of their pain. The result ratings were excellent in 10 shoulders, satisfactory in 23, and unsatisfactory in 34 (51%). With longer follow-up, a satisfactory level of pain relief may not continue for those patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis who have had humeral head replacement alone. Whereas this form of treatment should certainly be considered in those patients who have inadequate glenoid bone to support a glenoid implant and probably be considered in younger patients or patients who wish to remain more active, these latter patients must be fully appraised that the probability of continuing pain relief is less than has often been appreciated. Shoulder arthroplasty with a stemmed prosthesis is a recognized treatment for rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulder. The humeral component of the Copeland cementless surface replacement arthroplasty consists of a cup for surface replacement with a short central peg for primary fixation to the bone. We hypothesized that surface replacement may offer some advantages over stemmed prostheses.
                Between 1986 and 1998, seventy-five shoulders underwent surface replacement arthroplasty (thirty-three hemiarthroplasties and forty-two total shoulder arthroplasties) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The results of these procedures were reviewed after an average duration of follow-up of 6.5 years. Patients were assessed with use of the Constant score, a patient satisfaction score, and radiographs.
                The average Constant score was 47.9 points (age and sex-adjusted score, 71%) in the hemiarthroplasty group and 53.4 points (age and sex-adjusted score, 76%) in the total shoulder replacement group. The mean range of active flexion improved from 50 degrees in the hemiarthroplasty group and 47 degrees in the total shoulder replacement group to 101 degrees and 104 degrees, respectively. Seventy-two of the seventy-five shoulders were considered by the patients to be much better or better at the time of the review. Of the sixty-eight humeral implants that were evaluated radiographically, fifty-six (82%) showed no lucencies, eleven (16%) showed localized lucencies of <1 mm in width, and one was definitely loose. Of the thirty-nine glenoid implants that were evaluated radiographically, nineteen (49%) showed no lucencies, nineteen showed localized lucencies of <1 mm, and one was definitely loose. No lucencies were observed adjacent to the hydroxyapatite-coated implants. Thirty-nine (57%) of the sixty-eight shoulders showed some degree of superior subluxation. Three patients required a major reoperation: two required a revision because of loosening of both components, and one patient with pain at the site of a hemiarthroplasty had a revision to a total shoulder arthroplasty to provide relief.
                The indications for this surface replacement are the same as those for the conventional stemmed prostheses, but the surface replacement has the advantage of bone preservation as well as avoidance of the potential complications associated with a long humeral stem in rheumatoid bone. This procedure is not suitable for severely damaged joints in which the humeral head is insufficient or too soft. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series [no, or historical, control group]). See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. We carried out a retrospective analysis of 17 total shoulder replacements using the reversed Delta III prosthesis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis of the glenohumeral joint complicated by rotator cuff dysfunction. Outcome was assessed using the Constant-Murley scoring system. In addition, general health status was assessed with the Short Form Health Survey and radiographical analysis of the prostheses undertaken. Mean age at the time of surgery was 64 years. Thirteen shoulders were followed up for more than 5 years (mean 87 months). Median Constant-Murley score was 59.0; median scores for general health were 33.40 and 49.36 for the physical and mental components respectively. Radiographical analysis revealed evidence of lucencies about the humeral component in all cases and about the glenoid component in five cases. Despite the good clinical results, the high incidence of radiographical lucencies is of concern. We made a prospective study of 58 consecutive Neer II total shoulder replacements in 49 rheumatoid patients. Cemented glenoid and press-fit humeral components had been used. After a mean follow-up of 9.5 years (7 to 13), 11 patients (15 shoulders) had died, one shoulder had been arthrodesed and five patients (five shoulders) had been lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 37 shoulders 29 were painfree or had only slight discomfort, four had pain on unusual activity, and four had moderate or severe pain. There were satisfactory improvements in the mean range of active elevation (53 degrees to 75 degrees) and external rotation (5 degrees to 38 degrees); satisfactory performance of the activities of daily living had been maintained throughout follow-up. Radiographs showed loosening in ten shoulders of nine glenoid and nine humeral components but of these only three had significant symptoms. Three loose glenoid components and two loose humeral components required revision. We consider that the Neer total shoulder replacement provides a reasonable medium to long-term outcome in rheumatoid arthritis, but recommend that the humeral component should be routinely cemented. Between January 1, 1976 and December 31, 1991, 195 total shoulder arthroplasties and 108 hemiarthroplasties were performed in 247 patients in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. One hundred and eighty-seven total shoulder arthroplasties and 95 hemiarthroplasties with complete preoperative evaluation, operative records, and minimum 2-year follow-up (mean, 11.6 years) or follow-up until revision were included in the clinical analysis. Twenty patients had died and 1 was lost to follow-up. All 303 shoulders were included in the survival analysis. There was significant long term pain relief (P < .0001), improvement in active abduction (P < .0001), and external rotation (P < .0001) with both hemiarthroplasty and total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). There was not a significant difference in improvement in pain and motion comparing hemiarthroplasty and TSA for patients with a thin or torn rotator cuff. However, among patients with an intact rotator cuff, improvement in pain and abduction were significantly greater with TSA. Additionally, among patients with an intact rotator cuff, the risk for revision was significantly lower for TSA (P = .04). Radiographs were available for 152 total shoulder arthroplasties and 63 hemiarthroplasties with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Glenoid erosion was present in 62 of 63 hemiarthroplasties (98%). Glenoid periprosthetic lucency was present in 110 of 152 total shoulder arthroplasties (72%). The data from this study indicate that there is marked long-term pain relief and improvement in motion with shoulder arthroplasty. Among patients with an intact rotator cuff, TSA appears to be the preferred procedure for pain relief, improvement in abduction, and lower risk of revision surgery. To evaluate the short term efficacy of a community based physical therapy (PT) program for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through a single blind randomized controlled trial.
                Adults with active RA were referred by their physician for community based PT. Participants were randomized to either an immediate intervention group [experimental group (EG)] or a wait list control group (CG). The intervention was a standardized program of education and exercise consisting of at least 4 visits or 3 h of PT over 6 weeks. Baseline, 6, and 12 week assessments were by a blinded independent assessor. The primary outcome instrument was the Stanford Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (SES) and secondary outcome measures included the ACREU Rheumatoid Arthritis Knowledge Questionnaire (KQ) and visual analog scale for pain (VAS). Duration of morning stiffness, grip strength, and tender joint count were also collected at each assessment. Outcome analysis was conducted using analysis of variance.
                Of 150 eligible and randomized participants, 127 completed the study according to protocol. Baseline analysis showed no differences between the EG and CG for demographics, disease status, or other characteristics. At the 6 week assessment, primary outcome analysis for those who completed the protocol identified a mean change (improvement) of 13.5% in the EG and 5.8% in the CG, representing a 7.7% difference in change scores between the 2 groups [F(1,121) = 6.03; p = 0.015]. A statistically significant difference in change scores was also identified for the KQ [F(1,120) = 6.67; p = 0.011], but not for the VAS. Disease status measures did not change, except for duration of morning stiffness, which improved by 68.8 min in the EG and 8.3 min in the CG (F(1,121) = 4.50; p = 0.036].
                Four hours of a community based PT intervention delivered over 6 weeks significantly improved self-efficacy, disease management knowledge and morning stiffness in people with RA. We have performed a clinical and radiological analysis of 105 shoulder arthroplasties in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The clinical results showed improvements in the Constant-Murley and Association of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score of 21 and 35, respectively. Both were statistically significant (p < 0.001). This improvement was maintained over a period of 8.8 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the scores after hemiarthroplasty and those after total arthroplasty. The presence of an intact rotator cuff was associated with improved function in both groups. In spite of the use of an uncemented humeral stem, no implant was radiologically loose or at risk. There was lucency in a single zone in 14 implants. One glenoid component was at risk and 16 had lucency in a single zone. There was, however, a significant difference in the amount of lucency which was associated with pegged and keeled glenoid components (p = 0.005). In the group with hemiarthroplasty, two or more years after surgery there was superior migration of the humeral component by more than 5 mm in 18 shoulders (28%) and medial migration by more than 2 mm in eight (16%). Both superior and medial migration had an effect on the outcome. Revision was undertaken in four patients for persistent pain relating to medial migration. With revision taken as the endpoint for survival after eight years, 92% were found to be still in situ. This study examines long-term outcomes of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) via survivorship analysis, patient questionnaires, and minimum 10-year physical examinations. The study group consisted of 320 consecutive TSAs performed in 267 patients between 1974 and 1988. Diagnoses included rheumatoid arthritis (69%), osteoarthritis (22%), and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (4.7%). Minimum 10-year physical examination follow-up was obtained on a subset of 72 TSAs at a mean (+/- SD) of 14.0 +/- 2.7 years. A Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was obtained from 80 patients with 103 TSAs at a mean of 15.4 +/- 3.4 years after the index procedure (range, 10.4-23.2 years). Kaplan-Meier survivorship rates with revision as the endpoint at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years were 98%, 93%, 88%, and 85%, respectively. Of the shoulders, 22 (6.9%) required a revision, most commonly for loosening of one or both components (15 shoulders). Dislocation occurred earlier than other causes of revision or complication (P < .05, analysis of variance). Minimum 10-year physical examination follow-up revealed lasting, significant improvements in range of motion and strength. The patients' subjective assessments of TSA were favorable in that 92% felt that their shoulder was "much better" or "better" after TSA. The mean DASH score was 49 +/- 25; no significant differences were found among diagnoses. Long-term analysis of the Neer-type TSA revealed survivorship rates comparable to other joint replacements. The significant improvements in relief of pain, shoulder range of motion, and strength are associated with a high degree of patient satisfaction. We report the outcome of humeral head surface replacement hemiarthroplasty performed at our institution using the Copeland prosthesis. We followed 56 shoulders (52 patients) for a mean of 34.2 months (range, 24-63 months). Two were lost to follow-up, and there were six deaths unrelated to the shoulder surgery. Preoperative diagnoses in the remainder were osteoarthritis (20), rheumatoid arthritis (26), rotator cuff tear arthropathy (1), and post-traumatic arthrosis (1). The mean age was 68 years. Constant scores for the whole group improved from a mean preoperative score of 16.4 (range, 8-36) to 54.0 (range, 20-83) at last follow-up (P < .05). Three cases underwent subsequent arthroscopic subacromial decompression for impingement symptoms. One case required revision for aseptic loosening to a stemmed implant. Contained, nonprogressive osteolysis was seen in 2 cases. One periprosthetic humeral neck fracture was managed successfully nonoperatively. These results are comparable to those obtained with a modern stemmed hemiarthroplasty and are similar to Copeland's own series. Interleukin 6 is involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis via its broad effects on immune and inflammatory responses. Our aim was to assess the therapeutic effects of blocking interleukin 6 by inhibition of the interleukin-6 receptor with tocilizumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
                In this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel group phase III study, 623 patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis were randomly assigned with an interactive voice response system, stratified by site with a randomisation list provided by the study sponsor, to receive tocilizumab 8 mg/kg (n=205), tocilizumab 4 mg/kg (214), or placebo (204) intravenously every 4 weeks, with methotrexate at stable pre-study doses (10-25 mg/week). Rescue therapy with tocilizumab 8 mg/kg was offered at week 16 to patients with less than 20% improvement in both swollen and tender joint counts. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with 20% improvement in signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis according to American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR20 response) at week 24. Analyses were by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00106548.
                The intention-to-treat analysis population consisted of 622 patients: one patient in the 4 mg/kg group did not receive study treatment and was thus excluded. At 24 weeks, ACR20 responses were seen in more patients receiving tocilizumab than in those receiving placebo (120 [59%] patients in the 8 mg/kg group, 102 [48%] in the 4 mg/kg group, 54 [26%] in the placebo group; odds ratio 4.0 [95% CI 2.6-6.1], p<0.0001 for 8 mg/kg vs placebo; and 2.6 [1.7-3.9], p<0.0001 for 4 mg/kg vs placebo). More people receiving tocilizumab than those receiving placebo had at least one adverse event (143 [69%] in the 8 mg/kg group; 151 [71%] in the 4 mg/kg group; 129 [63%] in the placebo group). The most common serious adverse events were serious infections or infestations, reported by six patients in the 8 mg/kg group, three in the 4 mg/kg group, and two in the placebo group.
                Tocilizumab could be an effective therapeutic approach in patients with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis.
                F Hoffmann-La Roche, Chugai Pharmaceutical. Evidence for disease modifying activity of low dose corticosteroid treatment in rheumatoid arthritis is contradictory. Studies showing radiological benefit suggest that continued treatment is required to sustain the effect.
                To evaluate the effect of low dose oral prednisolone in early rheumatoid arthritis on disease activity over two years.
                Double blind placebo controlled trial.
                Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, duration <3 years (n = 167), were started on a disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD; sulphasalazine) and allocated by stratified randomisation to prednisolone 7 mg/day or placebo. Primary outcome measure was radiological damage, assessed by the modified Sharp method. Clinical benefit was a secondary outcome. A proactive approach to identifying and treating corticosteroid adverse events was adopted. Patients who discontinued sulphasalazine were offered an alternative DMARD.
                90 of 257 patients eligible for the study refused to participate (more women than men). Of those enrolled, 84% were seropositive for rheumatoid factor, median age 56 years, median disease duration 12 months, female to male ratio 1.8:1. Prednisolone was given to 84 patients; of these 73% continued prednisolone and 70% sulphasalazine at 2 years. Of the 83 patients on placebo, 80% continued placebo and 64% sulphasalazine at 2 years. There were no significant differences in radiological score or clinical and laboratory measures at 0 and 2 years.
                Low dose prednisolone conferred no radiological or clinical benefit on patients maintained on a DMARD over two years. Low dose corticosteroids have no role in the routine management of rheumatoid arthritis treated with conventional disease modifying drugs.
The effects of surgical treatment in the management of the shoulder in people with rheumatoid arthritis are largely unknown due to the paucity of randomised controlled trials.