Joint Surgery: Arthroplasty Vs. Arthrodesis

1. **Arthroplasty** involves replacing a damaged joint with an artificial one, while **arthrodesis** fuses two or more bones to stabilize a joint or correct deformities.

What is Orthopedic Surgery?

• Introduction to the field of orthopedic surgery, defining its scope and specializations.

What is Orthopedic Surgery?

Orthopedic surgeons are the bone doctors of the medical world. They specialize in the musculoskeletal system, which includes our bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Orthopedics is a broad field, with surgeons specializing in different areas, such as:

• Sports medicine: Treats injuries and conditions related to sports activities.
• Joint replacement: Replaces damaged or worn-out joints with artificial ones.
• Trauma surgery: Repairs bones and joints after accidents or injuries.
• Pediatric orthopedics: Treats bone and joint problems in children.
• Spinal surgery: Corrects problems with the spine, such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis.

These specialists use their superpowers, including surgical skills, knowledge of anatomy, and an understanding of how the body moves, to help patients regain their mobility, relieve pain, and improve their overall quality of life.

Types of Orthopedic Procedures

• Arthroplasty:
  • Total joint replacement: Replacing an entire damaged joint with an artificial one.
  • Partial joint replacement: Replacing only the damaged part of a joint.
  • Revision joint replacement: Replacing an existing artificial joint that has failed or worn out.
• Arthroscopic Surgery:
  • Using a small camera and instruments inserted through tiny incisions to diagnose and treat joint problems.
• Bone Graft:
  • Transferring bone tissue from another part of the body to repair damaged or missing bone.
• Computed Tomography (CT):
  • Using X-rays to create detailed images of bones and joints for diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Fusion:
  • Joining two or more bones together to stabilize a joint or correct deformities.
• Hardware Failure:
  • Problems or complications related to implanted orthopedic devices such as plates, screws, and artificial joints.
• Implantation:
  • Surgical procedure to place medical devices such as artificial joints, bone plates, and screws into the body.
• Infection:
  • Bacterial or viral infections that can occur in surgical wounds or around implanted devices.
• Joint Pain:
  • Causes, diagnosis, and treatment options for pain in joints, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):
  • Using radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of soft tissues around joints for diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Malunion:
  • Improper healing of a broken bone, resulting in a deformed or misaligned joint.
• Nonunion:
  • Failure of a broken bone to heal properly, leaving a gap between the broken ends.
• Osteoarthritis:
  • A degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage breakdown and pain.
• Pain Relief:
  • Medications, therapies, and surgical treatments used to manage pain related to orthopedic conditions.
• Plates:
  • Metal devices used to stabilize and hold bones together after surgery.
• Physical Therapy:
  • Exercises and treatments to improve mobility, range of motion, and strength after orthopedic procedures.
• Resection:
  • Surgical removal of a portion of a bone or joint to treat tumors, infections, or other conditions.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis:
  • An autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and damage to joints throughout the body.
• Screws:
  • Metal fasteners used to hold bones together after surgery.
• Stiffness:
  • Loss of mobility or range of motion in a joint, which can be caused by trauma, injury, or certain medical conditions.
• Trauma:
  • Injuries to bones and joints caused by accidents, falls, or sports-related activities.
• X-ray:
  • Using electromagnetic radiation to create images of bones for diagnosis and treatment planning.

Orthopedic Procedures: A Guide to Fixing Your Bones and Joints

Orthopedic surgery is a specialized field of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders and injuries of the musculoskeletal system, which includes your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Orthopedic surgeons use a variety of surgical and non-surgical techniques to treat everything from broken bones to chronic pain.

One of the most common types of orthopedic procedures is arthroplasty, or joint replacement. This procedure involves replacing a damaged or worn-out joint with an artificial one. Arthroplasty can be performed on a variety of joints, including the hip, knee, shoulder, and elbow.

Arthroscopic surgery is another type of orthopedic procedure that is used to diagnose and treat joint problems. Arthroscopy involves inserting a small camera and instruments into the joint through tiny incisions. This allows the surgeon to see inside the joint and perform repairs without having to make a large incision.

Bone grafting is a procedure in which bone tissue is transferred from one part of the body to another. This procedure can be used to repair damaged bone or to fill in gaps in the bone.

Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are imaging techniques that are used to create detailed images of bones and joints. These images can help orthopedic surgeons to diagnose and plan treatment for a variety of conditions.

Fusion is a procedure in which two or more bones are joined together to stabilize a joint or correct a deformity. Fusion can be performed using a variety of techniques, including the use of plates, screws, and rods.

Hardware failure can occur when implanted orthopedic devices, such as plates, screws, and artificial joints, fail to function properly. This can lead to pain, instability, and other complications.

Implantation is the surgical procedure to place medical devices such as artificial joints, bone plates, and screws into the body. These devices are used to stabilize and repair bones and joints.

Infection is a serious complication that can occur after any type of orthopedic surgery. Infections can be caused by bacteria or viruses, and they can range in severity from minor skin infections to life-threatening infections.

Joint pain is a common symptom of a variety of orthopedic conditions, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment for joint pain may include medication, physical therapy, and surgery.

Malunion is a condition in which a broken bone heals improperly, resulting in a deformed or misaligned joint. Malunion can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor surgical technique and inadequate immobilization.

Nonunion is a condition in which a broken bone fails to heal properly, leaving a gap between the broken ends. Nonunion can be caused by a variety of factors, including infection, poor blood supply, and smoking.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. Osteoarthritis can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints.

Pain relief is an important goal of orthopedic surgery. Orthopedic surgeons use a variety of techniques to relieve pain, including medication, physical therapy, and surgery.

Plates are metal devices that are used to stabilize and hold bones together after surgery. Plates are often used to repair broken bones and to fuse bones together.

Physical therapy is an important part of the recovery process after orthopedic surgery. Physical therapy can help to improve mobility, range of motion, and strength.

Resection is a surgical procedure in which a portion of a bone or joint is removed. Resection is often used to treat tumors, infections, and other conditions.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and damage to joints throughout the body. Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated with medication, physical therapy, and surgery.

Screws are metal fasteners that are used to hold bones together after surgery. Screws are often used to repair broken bones and to fuse bones together.

Stiffness is a loss of mobility or range of motion in a joint. Stiffness can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma, injury, and certain medical conditions.

Trauma to the bones and joints can be caused by accidents, falls, and sports-related activities. Trauma can range in severity from minor bruises to life-threatening injuries.

X-ray is an imaging technique that uses electromagnetic radiation to create images of bones. X-rays are used to diagnose a variety of orthopedic conditions, including broken bones and arthritis.