To determine the usefulness of the holmium:YAG laser system in arthroscopic synovectomy (ASSX) for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
ASSX was performed on 15 knees (one Larsen Grade 1, 7 Grade 2, 7 Grade 3) and 8 ankles (6 Grade 2, 2 Grade 3) of 17 female patients with RA. The average age at ASSX was 50.6 years (25-70). The average followup period was 24.4 months (10-47).
Seven out of 8 knees with grade 1 or 2 had reduced pain and swelling, as well as decreased average serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) (from 3.6+/-1.1 to 1.4+/-0.3 mg/dl). However, 4 out of 7 knees with grade 3 showed recurrence of pain and swelling along with persistent average serum level of CRP (from 4.3+/-1.0 to 3.8+/-1.0 mg/dl). All 8 ankles with Grade 2 or Grade 3 experienced reduced pain and swelling, while the average serum CRP levels did not change (from 3.2+/-0.9 to 2.9+/-1.0 mg/dl).
The Holmium:YAG laser was useful in ASSX for treating RA knees and ankles.