Surgery for Arthritis

There are more than 100 types of arthritis that can affect basically any joint in the body. Since rheumatoid arthritis is classified as an autoimmune disorder, the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues, which affects the joints. Other forms of arthritis are caused by a breakdown in the cartilage that protects the joints from putting too much pressure and stress on them. Overuse of the joints can lead to osteoarthritis. In many cases, arthritis develops in older adults whose joints have broken down over time.

Depending on the type of arthritis and the joints being operated on, there are various techniques that plastic surgeons can perform. For hand surgery, two of the most common methods are joint replacement and fusion. With joint replacement, the damaged joints are taken out and replaced with an artificial implant to restore form and function. With fusion surgery, the surgeon will fuse the bones of the joint to make the joints stronger and more stable. In some cases, ligament reconstruction is needed to repair worn ligaments to provide greater hand movement and flexibility.

The length of surgery will depend on the patient’s condition, as well as the severity of his or her case. Some surgeries can be performed arthroscopically for less invasiveness and less downtime to promote quicker healing. After surgery, the surgical site will be properly dressed for protection. Since there is likely to be pain and swelling for the surgery, your surgeon will provide you with information on which medications to use. It’s important to follow all instructions so that the surgery can carry out its intended uses of allowing a patient to regain proper use of the hands and fingers, alleviate pain, and repair deformity.

With any type of surgery, there are risks and reconstructive surgery for arthritis isn’t for everybody. In some cases, implants can fail where they don’t mimic the natural movement of joints and can cause pain. Since many implants are made from silicone rubber, the implant can break and slip out of place easily. Implants often have to be replaced after some time. With fusion, nearby, unintended joints can be affected, which can lead to a further loss of mobility. It’s important to thoroughly discuss the pros and cons of any surgery with your surgeon prior to surgery.