What To Do For Arthritis
See a Surgeon who specializes in Arthritis
Surgeons who specialize in arthritis can provide you with all the options and expertise to decide whether surgery is right for you.
Knee Surgery Options
ArthroscopyArthroscopy uses tiny instruments inserted into the joint through small punctures. Damaged tissue can be removed or repaired within the joint providing relief from both pain and swelling while possibly preventing further damage to the knee.
Total Joint Replacement- Replacing the CartilageYour surgeon may recommend joint replacement surgery if you have significant arthritis. Surgeons don't actually replace the joint as is commonly thought. Your surgeon actually replaces the damaged cartilage found at the ends of the bones in your knee joint. Perhaps it should be called "cartilage replacement surgery."
Joint replacement implants to resurface the joint are typically made from metal alloy and polyethylene (plastic). The implants are designed to restore function and eliminate as much discomfort as possible while allowing you to return to a more active lifestyle.
Rehabilitation and walking begin the day after surgery, and the hospital stay is normally 3 to 4 days. Therapy will begin in the hospital and usually continues after discharge for approximately 6 to 12 weeks.
Joint Replacement surgery of the knee has been extremely successful in helping patients with arthritis return to their normal activities and relieve their discomfort.
Partial Knee ReplacementThe knee is composed of three separate compartments. Osteoarthritis sometimes develops in only one compartment of the knee, while the other two compartments remain relatively healthy. Patients who have osteoarthritis in only one compartment may be candidates for partial knee replacement.
The advantage of a partial knee is that it resurfaces only the damaged cartilage of the knee, preserving the undamaged cartilage. The benefits of this procedure include a smaller incision (3,4 inches), a quicker recovery, and less bone removal. The disadvantages are that partial knee surgery may not last as long as total joint replacement surgery. You and your surgeon will determine if a partial knee is appropriate for you.
Rebuilding CartilageIn some patients, a pothole occurs in the joint cartilage on the end of the bone. Various methods may be used to try to correct this problem. The following methods are used primarily for young patients with moderate or isolated cartilage injury.
Microfracture arthroplastyMicrofracture arthroplasty uses an arthroscope to drill small holes into the exposed bone. The holes are designed to encourage cartilage to grow. This procedure is reserved for small areas of damage.
Direct Cartilage TransplantationDirect cartilage transportation takes healthy cartilage and moves it to a damaged area of cartilage. This procedure is reserved for younger patients with small defects, not for patients with significant arthritis.
Growing CartilageCartilage cells can be harvested during an arthroscopic procedure and then grown in a lab for later transplantation. These cells are then implanted into the defect. Again, this procedure is reserved for younger patients with small defects, not for patients with significant arthritis.
Hip Surgery Options
Total Hip ReplacementWhen non-operative treatment fails to control the discomfort and stiffness from arthritis of the hip, your surgeon may recommend total hip replacement. Joint replacement implants, typically made from metal alloy and polyethylene (plastic), are used to resurface the joint. Newer implants with metal sockets are now being used in selective patients. Total hip replacement replaces the upper end of the femur (thighbone) and resurfaces the acetabulum (socket). The implants are designed to restore function and eliminate as much discomfort as possible while allowing you to return to a more active lifestyle.
Rehabilitation and walking begin the day after surgery, and your hospital stay is normally 3 to 4 days. Therapy will begin in the hospital and usually continues after discharge for approximately six to twelve weeks.
Joint replacement surgery of the hip has been extremely successful in helping patients with arthritis return to their normal activities and relieve their discomfort.
Shoulder Surgery Options
ArthroscopyArthroscopy uses tiny instruments inserted into the joint through small punctures. Damaged tissue can be removed or repaired within the joint providing relief from both pain and swelling while possibly preventing further damage to the knee.
Total Shoulder ReplacementArthritis of the shoulder that results in pain and stiffness may necessitate a shoulder replacement. The ball end of the shoulder is replaced with a metal ball. The socket may or may not be resurfaced with plastic. The typical hospital stay is 1 to 2 days. Therapy usually continues for 3 months or more.
Ankle Surgery Options
Arthritis of the ankle can be quite painful. Two options exist for the ankle: fusion and total ankle replacement. Ankle fusion makes the ankle immobile and total ankle replacement uses tiny implants to resurface the damaged cartilage.
Hands/Wrist/Elbow
These joints can often be treated without surgery. However, in some cases either fusion or replacement is performed.
