What is arthrodesis operation?
Arthrodesis surgery is a common procedure used to treat chronic, severe arthritis. It is most often performed on damaged joints of the wrist and ankle, but an arthrodesis operation can also be performed to correction of problems with the spine, finger or hip. During the procedure, the surgeon manually straightens the affected joint, removes damaged bones and cartilage tissue and connects the bones together with surgical screws and grafted tissue. Most patients who have undergone surgery and have been involved in subsequent physical therapy are able to recover from the painful symptoms of arthritis and maintain strength in their joints.
Before considering the surgery of arthrodesis, arthritis treatment options are usually exhausted. If anti -inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids and specialized exercise routines do not help the patient to find relief, his physician can propose a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon. A specialist can study X -rays and other imaging scanning to determine what type of surgeonE would be most applicable to the patient's specific condition. For smaller joints, such as the wrist and legs, arthrodesis surgery is usually preferred, while the procedure called arthroplasty is considered larger, more complex structures in the knees, shoulders and hips.
arthrodesis surgery on the finger, tip, wrist or ankle is usually performed in a bed hospital and usually requires a stay of one to two days. Spinal arthrodesis usually requires a hospital stay at least a week due to the risk of possible complications. The procedure itself generally takes less than three hours during which the patient can be placed in general anesthesia or given by a localized anesthetic.
During the surgery of arthrodesis, an orthopedic surgeon performs a long cut along the joint base and pulls fat, cartilage and muscle tissue. If the joint is out of equalization, it forces the finger to the location and cuts off the part of the bone and cartilage. Small gaps boundEven the bones that make up the joint are usually filled with grafted tissue from another bone in the patient's body or from the donor. Larger joints usually require pins or screws inserting to secure the bones together. The surgical scar is then sewn and dressed in a protective bandage.
After the procedure, the patient is usually monitored in the recovery room and equipped with a protective shoe, strut or plate. Doctors usually recommend patients to avoid the weight or pressure on their joints for about six weeks, when they can return to the examination. When the recovery follows as expected, the individual can participate in the exercise of stretching and strengthening light within the rehabilitation program for up to two years. Usually it is not possible to regain the full functioning of the joint due to permanent bone fusion, but exercise can help maintain a certain degree of flexibilitya versatility.