As medical treatments have improved it's now less likely that you will need surgery to treat RA. However, if you have severely damaged joints and medicines haven't helped, your doctor may recommend one of the following operations to reduce pain and discomfort. A hip or knee replacement; synovectomy to remove the lining of an inflamed joint; removal or repair of severely inflamed tendons; surgery to fuse a joint to make it more stable.
Attribution: BUPA