Did you know joint replacement surgery is not the only treatment for painful and damaged joints? Joint fusion surgery or arthrodesis is a type of surgical procedure usually recommended to patients with pain in the foot due to arthritis or joint instability. Joint replacement surgery is a very popular and effective treatment for damaged joints. However, in a lot of cases, joint replacement is not a good option. In such situations, joint fusion surgery can be performed for effective and lasting results.
The goal of joint fusion surgery is to provide pain relief to patients who have tried conservative methods for joint pain relief that have not worked. It is typically recommended when there is significant damage to the affected joint. The most common places joint fusion is performed is the spine, ankle, finger, thumb, and foot.
What Does the Surgery Involve?
Joint fusion surgery involves removing damaged joint tissue and cutting of the ends of the bones that meet at a joint and fusing them together with an internal fixation. Fusion also involves using pins, plates, and other connective hardware to hold bones in the surgical area together so that the bones can eventually fuse. This type of surgery is performed most often to treat arthritis in the foot.
Depending on the condition of your foot or ankle, your surgeon may need to take a bone graft from another part of the body to replace missing bone and encourage fusion in the surgery area. Joint fusion can successfully reduce pain symptoms and discomfort.
After surgery, the two bones that are joined together will grow into one solid piece. Because of this, during your recovery, you will most likely need to wear a protective cast or brace to ensure the bones remain in a straight position for future fusion. Typically, it takes about 12 weeks to recovery from joint fusion surgery. Your surgeon will likely prescribe pain medications during recovery to help with pain symptoms. After recovery, physical therapy may be recommended to help you gain mobility and strength in the area.
Joint Replacement Surgery in Naples, Florida
The orthopedic surgeons at the Joint Replacement Institute combine their many years of education, training, and experience to diagnose and treat all types of joint issues. We understand how distressing it is to live with pain, and we do our best to provide you with immediate and long-lasting pain relief with our pain management services.
After an evaluation of your symptoms and an image-guided diagnosis, we will discuss your options for treatment with you. It is important that you know the benefits as well as the risks involved in every treatment recommended. Our practice treats all types of orthopedic conditions through state-of-the-art surgical and nonsurgical treatments.
We highly value your comfort and make it a top priority. If you have any questions about our orthopedic specialties, or if you would like to make an appointment, please call the Joint Replacement Institute at (239) 261-2663 or request an appointment now. We are eager to serve you in our Naples clinic!
