Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis out there, causes inflammation and pain in joints in several areas, frequently the hands, knees, hips and spine. It’s due to eroding cartilage that allows bones to rub against each other during joint movement, and is more common in older adults due to natural wear-and-tear on the body. Initially, treatment for osteoarthritis will focus on conservative areas like physical therapy, medications, and various lifestyle modifications that might help with symptoms. If these treatments are unsuccessful, however, one of a few different surgical procedures might be recommended. Arthroscopy Arthroscopy is a type of surgery where the surgeon enters the damaged joint using a fiber-optic video camera. This camera is attached to a small tube called an arthroscope, which is inserted into the joint. With the assistance of this camera, your surgeon can use small incisions to smooth the rough areas causing pain and inflammation. Additionally, they can also remove any loose cartilage, bone fragments or cysts that may have broken off. Arthroscopy is a relatively low-impact surgery with a short recovery time compared to others, but as such, it may also have fewer benefits. It’s only generally effective for specific types of injuries, and less so for treatment of osteoarthritis. Arthroplasty (Total Joint Replacement) During arthroplasty, the entire damaged joint is removed and then replaced, either with plastic or metal parts. This procedure comes with more risks than arthroscopy, such as blood clots and infection, but it’s also generally much more effective at removing pain symptoms. Do be aware, however, that replacement joints used in arthroplasty can wear down and require replacement themselves – around 20 years is a good time to check on this. Injections and Other Types There are a few other surgical procedures that might benefit those suffering from osteoarthritis:
Dr. Carlson tends to be conservative with surgical treatment, and much of his training is in minimally-invasive procedures, such as arthroscopy. He believes everyone deserves a trial of a more conservative treatment before moving to more invasive treatments such as surgery. Dr. Carlson tries to spend time with patients to better understand their goals and work together to come up with a treatment plan based on those goals and their distinct medical history. The Blog “Different Procedures For Osteoarthritis” was initially posted Here
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