Optimizing Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients for Surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to guide providers on how best to optimize the health of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) planning surgery, to reduce risk and complications and achieve the best outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS: The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) have issued a recent guideline on perioperative management of antirheumatic medications in patients with RA. Patients with RA will continue to need surgery. Newer literature is helping to plan the perioperative period to help reduce complications and improve outcomes.