Common Surgical Treatments For Arthritis

1. Common Surgical Treatments For Arthritis federalhealth.net/common-surgical-treatments-for-arthritis Surgery may be an option if you are healthy and active, but your joint pain from osteoarthritis (OA), or any other type of arthritis, is still severe. This guide will help you to have an informed conversation with your doctor about the best type of surgery for you. The following are the most common joint operations Arthroscopy What is it? This technique involves tiny incisions, specialized tools, and a small camera. It is used by surgeons to repair or replace damaged cartilage, fix injuries, and remove any remaining pieces of cartilage. The best candidates are active people under 40 years old. Pros: It often reduces pain, improves range and motion, and other symptoms. It may delay or eliminate the need to have an artificial joint Cons: The injury is still unclear whether arthroscopy will actually stop further deterioration. Right now there is no long-term research to support this idea. Joint Resurfacing 1/4

2. What is it? This procedure is also known as partial or uni-compartmental knee replacement. This procedure replaces only one of three compartments in the knee with an implant. It can be the medial (inside), the lateral (outside), or the patellofemoral (front) compartment. Surgeons replace the hip socket by inserting a metal cup. The hip is then reshaped and capped with a dome-shaped metal prosthesis. The best candidates for the knee are older, less active patients who have arthritis in one knee compartment. Men younger than 60 years old, particularly athletes and those who have physically demanding jobs, are ideal for the hips. Pros: This procedure can reduce pain in the knee and improve daily function. It may improve the ability to take part in high-impact activities and activities that require flexibility like yoga and martial arts. Future hip surgery may be easier if the thighbone is preserved. Cons: The metal-on-metal system has a higher complication rate than conventional implants. It also poses the same risks and hazards as all-metal replacements. This is not recommended for those with diabetes, osteoporosis, or kidney disease. Osteotomy What is it? It involves removing or inserting a bone wedge near a damaged joint. An osteotomy is a procedure that shifts weight from an arthritis-prone area to an unaffected area. It is used to correct hip dysplasia (hip misalignment) early in life. The best candidates are patients in their 30s or younger, who don’t need total joint replacement. Pros: Can stop damage and delay the need to have a joint replacement. Cons: Osteotomies can be complicated. Only a few surgeons are qualified to perform this surgery, which is complex and requires a high level of expertise. Synovectomy What is it? In people with inflammatory arthritis, the lining of the joint – the synovium – can become inflamed or grow too much, damaging cartilage and surrounding joints. This procedure involves the removal of most or all of the affected synovium, either through traditional, open surgery or through arthroscopy. The best candidates are people with minimal cartilage damage and who have used anti- inflammatory drugs but continue to have inflammation of the synovium around their knees, elbows, wrists, fingers, or hips. Pros: It relieves pain and improves function. People who have undergone the procedure may be able to reduce their anti-inflammatory medication dosage. Cons: This procedure can limit your range of motion and temporarily relieve symptoms. 2/4

3. Fusion or Arthrodesis What is it? This is how surgeons join bones together using pins, plates, or rods. The bones will eventually grow together and secure the joint. The best candidates are those with severe joint damage due to OA or inflammatory arthritis. Pros: This procedure is extremely durable and should last a lifetime. Cons: Joint fusion reduces mobility and flexibility. It can also alter the normal biomechanics of the joint, which can cause stress to surround joints and increase the risk of developing arthritis elsewhere. Total Joint Replacement (TJR) or Total Joint Arthroplasty What is it? It is a replacement for the damaged joint that is made of metal, plastic, and/or ceramic components. The best candidates are people with severe joint pain that have not been treated by any other treatment. TJR has become more common among younger patients due to an increase in implant durability. Pros: A strong track record of safety and success that reduces pain, improves mobility, daily functioning, and overall quality of life. Cons: Artificial joints can eventually wear out. This may cause joint revision surgery. Metal-on-metal implants, which are made entirely from metal, can release metal ions that can cause bone damage and other health problems. Before you have surgery, make sure to ask about the track record of any implant. People with weak bones and obesity should not have TJR. Minimally Invasive TJR What is it? This technique is used to replace a damaged joint. However, it requires fewer incisions than a traditional TJR. The muscle is reattached by a smaller amount of incisions. Those under the age of 50 who are active and normal-weight are the best candidates. Pros: You will experience less pain and spend less time in ajoint surgery hospital in Coimbatore. Also, you can recover faster than with traditional joint replacements. Cons: These procedures can be more complicated than traditional TJR are more complex. You should look for an experienced orthopedic doctor in coimbatore who performs these types of procedures. Joint Revision 3/4

4. What is it? It is surgery to remove an implant that has failed, become infected or is worn out and replace it with a brand new one. The best candidates are those with an injured artificial joint. Implants can last up to 20 years, but young people may need a revision. Pros: Pain relief, improved mobility, strength, and coordination Cons: Revisions are more difficult and less successful than the initial joint replacement due to the bone alterations that surgeons make. Sometimes, orthopedic surgeons will need to take a bone transplant from another location to complete the procedure. There are potential complications such as a higher risk of fractures after surgery and in the hip, double the risk of dislocation and uneven leg lengths. 4/4