Arthritis Today highlighted the most notable discoveries, insights and news for arthritis-related conditions in 2017. According to the article, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) published new guidelines for rheumatologists and surgeons to follow when treating patients with inflammatory arthritis prior to joint replacement surgery.

"We felt that the surgeons had a better grasp of the operative and wound healing issues, the rheumatologists were more familiar and knowledgeable about the medication pharmacodynamics, and the patients could inform us of their values and preferences for those questions where the literature was not clear," said Susan M. Goodman, MD, rheumatologist at HSS and lead author of the guidelines.

"We also recognize the need for further research and acknowledge that these recommendations may change as more studies are done," Dr. Goodman added.

This article appeared in the February 2018 print issue.