Surgery
for Severe Arthritis
Types of Arthritis Surgery
If discovered early or when not too severe as yet, there are many treatment
alternatives for arthritis. These include a change in diet. exercise, drugs
and health supplements, alternative treatment such as massage and accupuncture.
However, if these methods prove
to be ineffective of if pain becomes too severe, many arthritis
patients find that they may eventually need to undergo surgery.
Here is a quick overview of the most common types of arthritis
surgery and what they consist of.
Arthrodesis:
This type of surgery involves
fusion of the bones. It is usually done to relieve pain in the
joints of the hands (fingers, wrists, thumbs) or the feet (ankles).
Arthrodesis involves fusing the two bones that make up a joint.
Fusing the bone results in loss of flexibility. But it also makes
the joint much stronger and more stable, and can reduce pain significantly.
Arthrodesis can help make joints strong enough to bear weight.
Osteotomy:
This surgery focuses on correction
of bone deformities. This surgery consists of cutting and repositioning
the bone. This surgery is usually reserved for those patients that
experience misalignment of the joint. Osteotomy is usually used
in patients with mild or moderate osteoarthritis. Osteotomy helps
correct the pressure and force of the joint.
This surgery can be particularly
effective of for patients who experience pressure in their knees.
Osteotomy is also commonly used in patients who suffer from unilateral
hip osteoarthritis. This surgery is usually reserved for those
patients who are too young for total hip replacement. Patients
find that osteotomy significantly reduces pain in the joints.
Arthroplasty:
Arthroplasty literally means
rebuilding of the joints. Arthroplasty involves resurfacing of
the bones once they have worn down, or if the cartilage at the
end of the bone has worn away. Arthroplasty can also refer sometimes
to total joint replacement.
Total joint replacement
surgery:
Total joint replacement surgery
involves the removal of damaged bone or tissue in order to replace
it with artificial parts that are usually made out of ceramic,
metal, or plastic. This type of surgery may become necessary when
the patient becomes severely impaired or disabled due to joint
stiffness and pain. The most common areas of the body to undergo
total joint replacement surgery are the hips and knees. This surgery
has been practiced for many years, with often-excellent results.
Revision Joint Surgery:
This surgery consists of replacing
damaged or worn down bone with artificial joints. Revision joint
surgery generally uses special plastic or metal parts to replace
the parts used in previous revision joint surgery. Previous joint
replacement parts can wear down and will need to be replaced.
Revision joint surgery can be
difficult. The surgery generally takes longer than regular joint
surgery. If you need revision joint surgery, make sure your surgeon
is experienced in this particular type of surgery as it can be
complex.
Synovectomy:
This surgery involves the removal
of the synovium. Synovium are the tissues that line the joints
of your body. Many arthritis patients experience some damage to
their synovium. Synovectomy can help reduce pain and swelling significantly,
and especially those related to symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
Synovectomy can also help prevent
or at least slow the damage and destruction of the joints that
are affected the most. Synovectomy is usually reserved for long-term
rheumatoid arthritis cases.
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