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eLearning Series:
Arthritis Relief Now!
( 15 pages )
SURGICAL
SOLUTIONS FOR ARTHRITIS
Although medications
are the first defense against arthritis pain and swelling,
if they fail to solve the problem, many
doctors will suggest a surgical measure. Whenever someone is
considering a surgical procedure, he or she should consult
a physician for expressing concerns and gathering information.
During this time, he or she should discuss all of the any potential
risks involved with the procedure as well as all of the alternative
measures. However, a decision is made to continue with the
surgery, the doctor will recommend a procedure that he feels
is best suited for the patient’s condition and then will explain
what that procedure entails. Note that sometimes before surgery,
doctors prescribe blood-thinning medication and advise you
to do various joint movement activities or exercises in order
to increase circulation.
Some benefits
of going the surgery route can include the stabilization,
improved alignment or
replacement of a joint so that you can
have greater mobility, flexibility, overall use and range-of-motion.
Surgery may also be able to provide some level of pain relief
where other treatment options might have failed.
Be aware
there are possible risks with surgery, though, like blood
clots resulting. And your healthcare specialist may
advise against surgery if, for example, you have existing
health problems
that could pose possible unwanted risks. Some of these
problems could include sickness or infections that would
need to be
healed first, being over weight, which could cause more
stress and delayed recovery, lung problems or heart disease.
Common types of
surgery used in the treatment of arthritis follow:
Arthrodesis
– This is the joining together or fusion of joint
bones. Arthrodesis helps stop the progression
of
the disease
at the point of fusion, ending the pain. Loss of the
joint’s flexibility can result. However, the area will
be better
able to handle weight and offer general movement. In
other words,
the joint may not be 360-degree-flexible any longer,
but there will be some lesser-degree of flexibility
overall without pain.
Arthroplasty
– This is the replacement or rebuilding of an
entire joint. And it is intended for
those with
high-level
pain and movement impairment. It is discussed in
much more detail in the section immediately following this
one, offering
a focus with regards to hip replacement.
Arthroscopy
– Growing more popular with the improved use
of technology, this procedure is when specialized
instruments
are inserted into the joint by means
of tiny incisions. During this surgery, the operating physician
has helping staff members who aid the computerized monitoring
and some handling of
the instruments. The doctor can see the joint on
closed-circuit television and
make repairs to it, while talking through a microphone. Then not
only are there physical results, but the patient
has a video
with
audio record of the entire
occurrence for insurance and other records. Arthroscopy is often
performed on an outpatient basis. And recovery
time
is generally much less than
with other “open” surgery.
Osteotomy
- This
is a medical procedure that makes an actual cut in the bone,
most generally to correct
youth deformities like in the knee or
hip. Osteotomy
helps with re-alignment, stabilization, pain relief and the delaying
of joint replacement alternatives for up to 10 years.
Synovectomy
– This procedure, generally done via arthroscopy,
involves the removal of diseased joint tissue lining
or synovium.
Results
can include swelling decrease, pain relief, improved but not
completely healed joint
health.
Procedures for
Joint Replacement Surgery (Hip)
There are currently
many options in orthopedic (bone) surgery for people with
arthritis. Joint
replacement is the most
common option.
According
to the National
Joint Replacement Foundation, (NJRF) over 435,000 Americans
underwent this procedure last year. These numbers have
boosted joint replacement
to one
of the most successful medical discoveries and the absolute
most significant surgery
in the field of arthritis treatment.
Joint replacement
is the process of removing one’s entire joint as well as
any damaged tissue and replacing it with
a metal
prosthesis. This
prosthesis provides the patient with much need relief
from pain. This surgery most
effective
on the weight bearing joints such as the knees, hips,
and ankles, however, it has been used for all joints with
successful
results.
Hip replacement
surgery consists of removing the entire hip joint and replacing
it with artificial components.
These
components function in the same manner
as the natural hip, with the same type of motion. When
a patient elects
to undergo hip replacement surgery, they have an option
to use
their own blood.
There is a great loss of blood during the procedure,
and patients are prepared for this ahead of time. They
can
elect to have
their own blood
taken and
stored ahead of time so that when they need a transfusion,
they can use blood from
their own body, eliminating many of the risks associated
with transfusions.
This particular
procedure begins with an initial incision. The surgeon will
then proceed to
remove the entire
hip joint, including
the ball,
socket, and top of the femur. Once the joint, and
all damaged tissue is removed,
a metal
cup is adhered to the pelvic bone. Then, a metal
stem is inserted into the
femur; leaving a portion exposed at the end for several
inches. The doctors place a ball on the end of the
exposed portion
of the metal
rod, and
all of the exposed parts are lined with another antifriction
material. The
hip is
reassembled, placing the ball joint into the socket
and the incision is then closed.
Fusion Arthrodesis,
or bone fusion, is another optional procedure where the
bones are fused together in order
to prevent them
from moving independently.
This can be done two ways:
1. Bone Grafting
is the method of stimulating fusion between two bones by
placing
a small piece of bone,
from another
region of
the body,
in between. This small
piece of bone encourages growth for the surrounding
bones, thus fusing them
in place.
2. Implantation
of a metal or ceramic piece, which is adhered to each of
the two bones, using
either
screws or a special
glue, thus
preventing
movement
of the bones. Fusion is a common procedure
and is used in conjunction with joint replacement
surgery, which
is more
extreme of a
procedure then bone
fusion
alone.
During a procedure
called Ostheo, doctors can evaluate the injured tissue and
eliminate any
loose material
with the
use of instruments
that are
inserted into the joint through little incisions
in the skin. During the procedure,
the surgeon can observe any damage to the
joint on a closed-circuit television, and further
remove any
loose
growths that could
be the origin of pain.
This sort of surgery can often be executed
on an outpatient basis, and typically
involves a shorter recovery stage than open/inpatient
surgery.
Rehabilitation
times for joint replacement surgery vary from one person
to the next.
However, the
average person
has been
shown
to regain most
functions
within three weeks. A positive attitude
can help to facilitate recovery. It is important
for patients
to
participate
in this by reassuring
themselves as
well as seeking support from support groups,
family, and friends.
Regardless of
they type of surgery recommended, most people recommend getting
at least
one other opinion
before proceeding.
In addition,
check out books,
conduct your own online research, ask
questions
through health chat rooms, call your
own local providers
and learn all you
can about
your health
condition. And if you do decide upon
surgery, look and plan ahead, too. Will you need
time off work? Someone to help around
the house? Someone to run errands? Line up
help with neighbors,
friends,
church members,
family, co-workers
and local
services to pick up groceries, bring
in the mail, clean house and basically keep
things
running
in the interim.
In short,
take
charge
and reach
out.
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