Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and post-MI fatality compared with the general population. At issue is whether this applies to those undergoing a surgical procedure.
rheumnow.com

Rheumatoid Arthritis patients are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, especially those with longstanding inadequately-controlled inflammation. These patients are also more likely to suffer joint deformities, and accelerated degenerative Osteoarthritis.
Secondary Osteoarthritis of the knees and hips in such patients may require total joint replacement. Unfortunately, it appears from this study that the 6-week post-knee replacement risk for heart attack and death from this and other causes is heightened further compared to non-RA patients.
Such patients therefore need to be more closely monitored in the immediate post-operative period.
With the current very effective RA treatments available, we should be seeing far fewer of RA patients requiring joint repair and replacement in future.


Patients with osteoarthritis often consider total knee replacement surgery to resolve pain and increase mobility. However, a recent study found that self-reported knee…
the-rheumatologist.org

Up to a third of patients with Knee Osteoarthritis who reported joint instability prior to replacement surgery do not feel this problem resolved by the operation. The main contributing factors to this appear to be prolonged leg muscles deconditioning, and inadequate post-operative rehabilitation due to pain.
As such, pre-operative muscle strengthening and effective peri-operative pain management may help.


Swedish study found that people with new knees had slight uptick in spinal fractures, too
consumer.healthday.com

Successful knee replacement surgery followed by effective rehabilitation sound like a fairy tale ending for Osteoarthritis sufferers, but (there’s always a but) becoming more active may give way to another age-related problem: Osteoporosis and fragility fractures of the spine and the hip (especially if you fall while merrily participating in high impact sports).
Moral of the story: seize the day and enjoy life, but do regular medical screening and remember that you’re no spring chicken anymore.