What is arthritis surgery?
Surgical procedures can be performed to treat damaged joints caused by arthritis. This can involve fixing or replacing damaged joints or correcting deformities to relieve pain and improve mobility. As arthritis progresses, the cartilage (the protective tissue between the bones) wears down, leading to joint pain and stiffness. Surgery can be an effective treatment option if your arthritis doesn’t improve with other treatments like medication, injections, or physical therapy.
Surgery for arthritis is performed by orthopaedic surgeons who may work with other specialists, such as rheumatologists and plastic surgeons. Penn Medicine Orthopaedics offers a range of advanced arthritis surgical techniques, including minimally invasive and robot-assisted surgery.
Types of arthritis surgery
If your arthritis pain is severe and interferes with your daily activities, your doctor may recommend surgery.
If you have early-stage arthritis, arthroscopic surgery may be an option. This minimally invasive procedure smooths or realigns joint surfaces to reduce pain and improve function.
Arthroscopic surgery is used to diagnose and treat joint conditions affecting the knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, hip, and wrist. It typically involves small incisions over the joint, allowing for a less invasive surgical approach.
Arthroplasty is a surgical procedure that replaces worn-out bone and cartilage with an artificial joint made of metal, plastic, silicone, ceramic, or other material. It’s often used to treat conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and bone disorders. By replacing the damaged joint, arthroplasty can significantly reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance overall quality of life.
Arthroplasty can be performed on many joints in the body, including the hips, knees, ankles, elbows, shoulders, and fingers. Where possible, we use advanced materials like ceramic bearings to reduce the need for revision surgery (a second procedure).
Arthrodesis is a surgical procedure that joins two or more bones together using pins, plates, rods, or other hardware. The bones eventually grow together and secure the joint. Joint fusion surgery is often used to treat conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, severe bone fractures, and spinal deformities.
This surgery can be performed on many joints in the body, including the vertebrae of the spine, ankles, wrists, sacroiliac joints, fingers, and thumbs. By fusing the joint, arthrodesis can reduce pain, improve stability, and correct deformities. However, there is also a risk of limited range of motion and stiffness.
Synovectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a portion or all of the synovium, a thin membrane that lines the inside of joints. It’s used to treat conditions that affect the synovium such as tenosynovitis, and some types of arthritis. This is an option only in patients with intact cartilage, usually in the early stages of the disease.
The knee is the joint most selected for synovectomy because it’s the largest joint and is often affected by chronic inflammation. After surgery, results can be dramatic, but the synovium tissue can grow back after several years. This may lead to a return of symptoms.
Osteotomy is a surgical procedure that involves cutting and realigning bones near a joint to reduce stress and improve function. This is often done to treat osteoarthritis or correct bone deformities.
Osteotomy is performed on bones in many parts of the body, including the jaw, elbow, spine, shoulder, hips, knees, legs, toes, and feet.
Who is a candidate for arthritis surgery?
Surgeons often recommend arthritis surgery if you have arthritis and meet any of the following criteria:
- Pain: Severe joint pain that limits physical activity, such as walking or climbing stairs.
- Inflammation: Chronic joint inflammation that doesn’t improve with rest or medication.
- Structural damage: Significant joint damage from a previous injury, like a fracture or dislocation, causing post-traumatic arthritis where the joint wears down prematurely.
- Other treatments didn’t work: Treatments like anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, or assistive devices (such as canes or walkers) haven’t provided enough relief.
How to prepare for arthritis surgery
To ensure a successful recovery, it’s important to take steps to prepare for your arthritis surgery. Your health-care team may recommend the following:
- Quit smoking: Smoking can slow healing, so try to quit before surgery.
- Limit alcohol: Avoid alcohol consumption for at least 48 hours before surgery.
- Maintain a healthy diet: Good nutrition supports your body’s healing process. Eat a balanced diet rich in nutrients.
- Manage weight: If you’re overweight, consider losing weight before surgery. This can reduce stress on your joints and improve your overall recovery.
You’ll likely have a medical examination within 30 days of your procedure along with some tests, such as blood tests or urine samples, to be sure you’re ready for surgery. Your doctor will answer any questions and outline what to expect on the day of your surgery, based on the specific arthritis surgery you’re having.
Recovery after arthritis surgery
Recovery time after arthritis surgery depends on factors such as the type of surgery, your overall health, and how well you follow your doctor’s instructions.
- Pain management: You may experience some pain, swelling, and stiffness, especially in the first few weeks after surgery. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication to help manage your discomfort.
- Mobility aids: You may need to use a cane, crutches, or other assistive devices for a while to support your joints and prevent falls.
- Activity limitations: You’ll need to avoid activities that put stress on your joints, such as lifting heavy objects and making sudden movements.
- Physical therapy: Work with your physical therapist to regain mobility, manage pain, and improve your range of motion through specific exercises and manual therapies to help you recover.
What are the risks of arthritis surgery?
All surgical procedures carry some risks, and these may vary depending on the type and location of the surgery.
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Nerve injury
- Infection around the prosthesis
- Malfunction of prosthetic parts
- Stiffness or pain that doesn’t go away
Experts in arthritis surgery
At Penn Medicine, we specialize in restoring joint function and reducing pain with the latest treatments. Our team offers comprehensive care, from nonsurgical options to advanced, minimally invasive surgeries.
- Robotic-assisted surgery: Our surgeons use this innovative technology to perform highly precise joint replacement surgeries.
- Specialized scans: 3D imaging provides your surgeon with a detailed view of your joint, allowing them to plan every step of the surgery and make precise incisions down to the millimeter.
- Advanced materials: We use state-of-the-art materials, such as ceramic bearings in hip and knee replacements, to ensure long-term benefits. Ceramic implants reduce the need for revision surgery, minimize bone deterioration, and lower the risk of joint loosening or dislocation.
- Minimally invasive procedures: Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive techniques to reduce recovery time and improve outcomes.
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