If early treatments are not enough to stop the pain or loose their effectiveness, surgery may be an option for definitive treatment.
The type of treatment depends on the age and activity level of the patient, the condition of the affected joint, and the extent that the osteoarthritis has progressed. Surgical options for the treatment of osteoarthritis include arthroscopy, osteotomy, joint replacement, and joint fusion.
Arthroscopy: A surgeon makes two or three small incisions and uses a small, flexible, fiberoptic instrument (arthroscope) to remove bone spurs, cysts, damaged cartilage, or loose fragments in the joint.
Osteotomy: The long bones of the arm or leg are realigned to take pressure off of the affected joint.
Joint Replacement: A surgeon removes parts of the bones in the joint to create an artificial joint with metal and/or plastic components. These can be partial joint replacements or total joint replacements depending on how much and what parts of the joint are removed.
Joint Fusion: A surgeon eliminates the joint by fastening together the ends of the bones in the joint (fusion). Pins, plates, screws, and/or rods may be used to hold the bones in place while they heal. This procedure ultimately eliminates the joint’s flexibility.
Conditions Treated
These treatments are options if you or a loved one suffer from the following conditions: