INTRODUCTION: Erosive-destructive changes in @entity309 particularly in the large joints of the lower limbs often result in the @entity1 's immobility. The aim of this retrospective study was to weigh the benefits of multiple joint replacement in @entity309 against the specific complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1977 until 31 December 1998, 215 @entity1 with proven @entity309 (according to the ACR classification) received three or four endoprostheses in the lover limbs. In a retrospective study with a standard questionnaire and evaluation of the @entity1 record, we were able to assess 201 @entity309 @entity1 (93.5%) who received 688 endoprostheses (93.7%), with 347 total hip prostheses (THR) and 341 total knee prostheses (TKR). RESULTS: There was a significant improvement of the @entity1 's ability to walk and in 16.9% of the cases even a remobilization of the @entity309 @entity1 who had been unable to walk before surgery. On the other hand, there were significant complications--in the majority of the cases (appr. 60%) with total knee replacement. Together the complications per implant had an extremely high complication rate of 43.8% (n=88) per @entity309 @entity1 . DISCUSSION: Due to the long-term follow-up of 22 years (1977 through 1998), we were able to demonstrate that with a new implant generation and a more a careful indication this unacceptable complication rate can be reduced considerably. However, the multiple joint replacement of the lower limbs remains a difficult method with a high complication rate and should therefore only be performed at orthopedic rheumatological centers.

[Multiple joint replacement of the lower limbs in XXXX ].

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity309 :: ('MESH:D001172', 'Disease') :: ['rheumatoid arthritis', 'rheumatoid']
@entity309 :: (MESH:D001172,Disease) :: ['rheumatoid arthritis']
