Surgery for Arthritis

Although there is no cure for osteoarthritis, early diagnosis and self-management can significantly reduce pain and symptoms. Once you are diagnosed with osteoarthritis, your doctor may recommend treatment with medication, which will provide osteoarthritis pain relief. Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle
changes or activities to help manage your symptoms.

If pain persists or joint damage worsens, you may ask your doctor about your surgical options. Having surgery on an arthritic joint involves either relieving the pressure on the joint or completely replacing the joint. About 95% of patients who undergo surgery report significant pain relief and increase in mobility.

Surgery yields the best results when you are in good shape before the procedure. Your recovery time will also depend on which joint is affected and the type of surgery you have. If you get a hip or knee joint replacement, you should expect several months of rehabilitation after the surgery. Full recovery may take up to one year, depending on how fit you are before the surgery. The more fit you are prior to surgery, the more active you are likely to be afterward.

Types of Surgery

Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a procedure in which a doctor makes small incisions in the affected joint to remove damaged cartilage and smooth out joint connections. This type of surgery yields the best results when the joint is not overly damaged and is still mechanically sound.

Bone Fusion Surgery
Bone fusion surgery is usually performed on joints in the hands or fingers. The surgeon will use pins and plates to fuse the bones in the joints. Although this procedure can greatly decrease pain caused by severely damaged joints, bone fusion permanently prevents the joint from bending.

Joint Replacement Surgery
Joint replacement involves removing the damaged joint and substituting a joint made out of either plastic or metal. Joint replacement is used to replace bones in a joint that are damaged beyond repair and that will not respond to medical treatments typically used for arthritic pain and symptoms. Although hip replacement is the most common type, doctors also replace the joints of the knee, thumb, elbow and shoulder.

Tissue Repair Surgery
Tissue repair is performed when damaged joints cause muscles, ligaments and tendons to tear away from the bone. The surgery involves reattachment of the damaged tissue to the bone.