Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic surgery is performed to correct a diseased joint to reduce pain, improve motion, or correct deformities.

To go or not to go for surgery

Before arriving at a crucial decision of whether to go under the knife certain understanding of the possibilities must be considered.

Is it pain in your knee that is causing you discomfort. Is it that a bone is grinding against another bone. Is it because of trauma, RA[rheumatic arthritis] or OA. If it is trauma or OA, then the damage has already happened. It is worthwhile to go for surgery or other remedy. But if it is RA, the inflammation can return even after surgery, hence you will have to think twice.

Your Surgeon

Since arthritis is a complicated and specialized problem, take all precaution to select your surgeon. Your family physician will be your greatest help.

Types of operation

Five types of surgery are popular today.

Joint Replacement - The affected arthritic hips are removed and replaced by metal - hip shaped device stuck into the thighbone. Be assured the failure rate has been reduced to less than one tenth.

Synovectomy – It is another system operation, normally carried out on the knee, where the basic concept is to remove the injured diseased tissue. The severe pain just vanishes. The surgeon, through a small incision enters an ultra thin flexible tube with a light. The doctor can actually detect the tissue and remove it.

Bone fusion - It is also called Arthrodesis, is a method of joining two bones that relives pain. This is widely practiced for treating 'neck vertebrea' to reduce pain and further injury to neck nerves.

Resection - Diseased joints of the foot makes standing, walking extremely painful. Through this method of surgery, a bone or its part is removed to provide relief. Part of wrist, thumb or elbow can also be removed to provide relief from pain and better functioning.

Arthroplasty - This method is employed where joints need rebuilding. In some cases cartilage at the end of the bones gets worn out and the bone is destroyed. It can be resurfaced and relined as good as new.

Getting ready for operation

Try to stay in a positive frame of mind.
Discuss in details the problem, solution prescribed, success factor with your Arthrities doctor and the orthopedic surgeon in detail.

Post Surgery and recovery

It would require several weeks to convalesce after the surgery. You need to do the exercises recommended by physical therapist and orthopedic surgeon. In case your diet is deficient, take a daily dose of multivitamin to improve your health. You can have Vitamin C to speed up your recovery.