What is arthrodesis?

A joint fusion surgery, also known as arthrodesis, is recommended by a doctor when a patient has significant arthritis discomfort. This procedure "welds" the two bones that make up the painful joint together, making it more stable . The process involves the removal of damaged or affected cartilage, and the bones are fused into one solid bone with the help of an internal metal fixation.

 

Why is it done?

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, severe traumas, and fractures that have disrupted the joint's capacity to function normally are some of the causes of unrelenting pain that necessitate arthrodesis. This surgery is frequently used to repair joints in the foot, ankle, spine, and hand that have been affected by traumatic arthritis because of a significant injury. Hip and knee arthrodesis surgeries were formerly performed on a large number of patients regularly.

 

What can be expected during arthrodesis?

Before the procedure 

Before undertaking the surgical procedure, it is critical to determine whether the patient is in an optimal health condition or not. Before surgery, doctors will ensure that the overall health is optimal for undergoing surgery without any complications.

During the procedure 

Arthrodesis is commonly treated with bone grafting. The doctor will decide the type of bone graft required by the patient. The procedure begins with the administration of general anesthesia, followed by creating a skin incision. The cartilage is then removed, and the bone that will be implanted is molded to fit perfectly using pins, screws, or plates. After the bone has been implanted and fitted, the doctor will sew the wound and close .

After the procedure 

Immediately after the procedure, the doctor recommends not engaging in any physical activity. The patient will be instructed to apply an ice pack and elevate their leg or arm. Doctors would recommend physical exercises to the patient after two weeks of rest to strengthen the muscles.

 

What are the benefits of undergoing an arthrodesis procedure?

Some of the benefits of undergoing arthrodesis include:

• It relieves the patient from severe joint pain 
• It gives stability to the joint 
• It helps in improving alignment 
• It helps patients bear weight on their fused joints to live without any difficulties

 

What are the possible risks associated with arthrodesis?

The risks and potential unfavorable effects of arthrodesis differ greatly from one patient to the next, based on a range of factors. These factors include the patient's overall health, age, and the procedure the surgeon intends to undertake.

 During the surgery, metal implants can break, the fusion site can fail, and sometimes infection can occur .

After surgery, there may be persistent pain at the site of the bone fusion; however, this is a rare consequence. Arthrodesis is a surgery usually regarded as safe and has a high success rate among most patients. 

Some other risks the patients might experience include:

• Hardware failure  
• Painful scar tissue  
• Arthritis in the neighboring joints  
• Infection  
• Bleeding  
• Clots in the blood  
• Damage to the nerves  

 

Conclusion 

Recovery might take anything from a few weeks to a year following the surgical procedure. The portion of bone where the joint was originally located will no longer be capable of being in motion and is often alleviated of discomfort once the two neighboring bones are completely fused. Additional surgeries or more than one bone graft may be required for improved healing in some cases. Because limited mobility is a permanent consequence of arthrodesis, it is typically utilized as a last option.