6 Techniques for Common Joint Reconstruction Surgery

Aging naturally, taking part in sports, performing repetitive motions at work or as a hobby, or even past injuries can cause joint pain and weariness. 

Osteoarthritis, which harms a joint's protective cartilage, and rheumatoid arthritis, which often results in a decrease in the lubricating synovial fluid, can cause stiff, painful, and swollen joints. This frequently impacts the neck, back, shoulders, elbows, hands, hips, and feet.

If less intrusive techniques like painkiller injections and physical therapy are unsuccessful in addressing your joint discomfort, your orthopedic specialist may suggest joint reconstruction surgery. 

Numerous types of joint reconstruction surgery can be performed to replace uncomfortable joint tissues and structures or to repair damaged joint areas. Additionally, bio-grade prosthetic materials can be used to repair damaged joint regions.

Discussing the most popular joint reconstruction techniques for treating your painful joints and the top Atlanta orthopedics who can help you finally experience pain relief are important topics to cover.

6 Techniques for Common Joint Reconstruction Surgery

Orthopedic medicine is constantly changing in response to new findings and techniques. The following are the joint reconstruction techniques used most frequently:

Joint Replacement Surgery

During joint replacement surgery, an orthopedic treatment, a damaged or arthritic joint is removed and replaced with prosthetic components. Depending on the damage or injury, an orthopedic surgeon may perform a partial joint replacement procedure.

Particularly for the knees and hips, many total joint replacements can now be performed as an outpatient procedure. The joints that require total replacement the most frequently are the shoulder, elbow, finger, hip, knee, and ankle.

Joint Resurfacing Surgery

It is frequently suggested that younger people who would not benefit from a total joint replacement have their joints resurfaced. 

Orthopedic surgeons frequently perform this surgery on the hip joint because hip joint surface injuries tend to get worse over time. This is generally done in the areas where the ends of the hip bones rub against each other and move awkwardly.

During hip joint resurfacing surgery, a part of the femoral head, the curved top of the femur (upper leg bone), which inserts into the hip socket, is filed down. The orthopedic surgeon then removes the socket region and substitutes a metal prosthetic socket to support bone integrity.

Arthrodesis (Joint Fusion)

Two bones are fused during an arthrodesis treatment to limit motion and relieve pain in a damaged joint. Only when less risky methods are no longer working is it used. You can also consult with a bone and joint specialist for more information. 

Arthroscopy

Your doctor can quickly repair joints with arthroscopy by using a tiny fiber-optic camera and a small incision. This medical procedure is not very intrusive.

Using this method, the surgeon can get rid of bone spurs, loosen up a tight joint, and trim tissues that are harming the joint. This form of surgery often involves the knees, hips, and shoulders. 

Osteotomy

The removal of a specific bone segment sometimes referred to as bone cutting and mending, is known as osteotomy. This is typically done to straighten the bone or make it even with the other limb or joint. Orthopedic physicians often repair the knees, hips, or legs of younger patients during the procedure, which is widely utilized as an alternative to joint replacement surgery.

Synovectomy

The synovium, which coats the joints, can become inflamed. When this occurs, the vulnerability may cause damage to the nearby cartilage and bones. A synovectomy, therefore, involves physically removing all or most of the affected synovium.

Conclusion 

Joint reconstruction procedures help patients who suffer from crippling joint problems to resume their enjoyment of their favorite hobbies and lead normal lives. Speak with one of our highly qualified orthopedic surgeons or arthritis and total joint specialists if you have joint pain or mobility problems.

For more than 50 years, the Board-Certified orthopedic surgeons at Atlanta Bone and Joint Specialists have operated on patients needing knee and hip replacements. Contact us if you need to speak with arthritis and total joint specialists.