Should people consider joint surgery?
The decision to have surgery is a major one. It is not a decision to be made quickly without good reasons. Most people with arthritis never will need surgery. Their arthritis is managed by non-surgical treatments, including proper medication, physical therapy, exercise, rest and joint protection. A person unsure about surgery should ask their doctor to suggest a consulting physician and get a second opinion.
Benefits of joint surgery
Joint surgery offers several potential benefits for some people with arthritis. Relief of pain is the most reliable benefit and therefore is the major reason for surgery for people with arthritis. For some, joint surgery also may offer better movement and ability to use joints. Another benefit is an improvement in the look of deformed joints, especially joints in the hand. It is most important to consult with a doctor about which benefits are likely to be obtained from joint surgery.
Reasons not to have joint surgery
Before any kind of surgery, it’s important to have other health problems under control. If there are any problems with the lungs, a serious heart disease, a bacterial infection or other health problems such as diabetes, some types of surgery may be too much. Being overweight also can cause complications, especially if the surgery is on a weight-bearing joint such as a hip or knee. Age also is a factor when considering surgery. Despite significant advances in joint surgery, the younger a person is at the time of the surgery, the more likely it is that the surgery will have to be repeated later. This is because artificial joints tend to loosen with time, and younger people tend to be more active, therefore placing more stress on surgically-treated joints.
Which joints can benefit; what types of surgery are available?
Joints that can benefit from surgery are joints in the foot and toes, ankle, knees, hips, hand and fingers, wrist, shoulder. Among the types of surgery available are arthrodesis or bone fusion, arthroplasty or the rebuilding of joints, osteotomy or the correction of deformity by cutting and then resetting the bone, resection or removal of a bone or bone part, synovectomy or removal of the diseased synovium that surrounds the joint area.
What to expect after surgery
Depending on the type of surgery, a period of rest, physical therapy and limited activity will be prescribed. Also, there may be a need to use splints, a cane or crutches. Physical therapy is vital to restore range-of-motion in the joint and strengthen muscles. The pain associated with the therapy will gradually lessen.