Millions of people all over the world have arthritis. This debilitating disease causes swelling and pain in one or more joints, causing pain and impeding mobility. There are many ways to treat arthritis, such as with medicine and physical therapy. However, orthopedic surgery is a very important part of managing this condition. In this article, we’ll talk about the role of orthopedic surgery in treating arthritis.
Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating problems of the musculoskeletal system. It includes problems with the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Orthopedic surgeons are specially trained to treat these conditions with surgery, with the support of medicine, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.
How orthopedic surgery can help people who suffer from arthritis
Arthritis can cause immense pain and make it hard to move around, making it difficult to do daily tasks and enjoy life. Even though medications and physical therapy can help manage arthritis symptoms without surgery, some patients may need orthopedic surgery to get the best results.
Here is how orthopedic surgery can help people with arthritis:
Surgery to replace a joint (Joint Replacement)
A common orthopedic surgery that can help people with arthritis is joint replacement surgery. Parts of a joint that are damaged are removed and replaced with a prosthetic device during this procedure. Joint replacement surgery can be done on the hips, knees, shoulders, and ankles, among other joints in the body.
Joint replacement surgery can make a big difference in how mobile and pain-free a person is. It can also help ease the pain and swelling that come with arthritis. Joint replacement surgery is a major operation that takes time to heal from, but it can help many people with arthritis in the long run.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a surgery that causes the least amount of damage and can diagnose and treat arthritis. During arthroscopy, a small cut is made in the joint so that a small camera can be put inside. It lets the orthopedic surgeon see what’s wrong with the joint. If needed, the surgeon can use special tools to remove damaged tissue or fix a torn ligament.
Most of the time, arthroscopy is done on joints like the knee, shoulder, and ankle. It is an alternative to traditional open surgery. It is less invasive and can help lessen pain in arthritis patients.
Osteotomy
Osteotomy is a surgery in which a bone is cut and moved to relieve pressure on a joint. This method is often used to treat knee arthritis. By moving the bones in the knee, osteotomy can help redistribute weight and relieve pressure on the affected joint.
Osteotomies are mostly done on younger people who are not yet ready for joint replacement surgery. It can help a person avoid having surgery to replace a joint and improve their quality of life.
Fusion
Fusion is a surgery in which two or more bones are joined to make a single, solid bone. This procedure is often used to treat arthritis in the spine and other joints in the body.
Fusing the bones can help stabilise the affected joint and reduce pain and swelling. Even though fusion can make it harder to move the affected joint, it can give long-term relief from arthritis.
Orthopedic surgery is a good option to treat arthritis. Joint replacement surgery, arthroscopy, osteotomy, and fusion are some of the surgeries that can help relieve arthritis pain, inflammation, and mobility problems. But remember that not everyone with arthritis requires surgery. Arthritis symptoms can also be treated without surgery with medicines, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes.
If you have arthritis and are thinking about orthopedic surgery, you should talk to an experienced orthopedic surgeon. Your doctor can help you decide if surgery is the best choice for you and tell you about the risks and benefits of each procedure.
In addition to surgery, people with arthritis need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It means eating a balanced diet, working out regularly, and staying away from things that can make arthritis symptoms worse.
To conclude, orthopedic surgery is a very important part of treating arthritis. Whether you need arthroscopy, osteotomy, fusion, or joint replacement surgery, an experienced orthopedic surgeon can help you get the best results and improve your quality of life.
