Arthrodesis is a form of bunion surgery, Arthrodesis, also known as artificial ankylosis or syndesis, is the artificial induction of joint ossification between two bones via surgery. This is done to relieve intractable pain in a joint which cannot be managed by pain medication, splints, or other normally-indicated treatments. Arthrodesis is most commonly performed on joints in the spine, hand, knee, and ankle.
The ends of two bones are fused together in arthrodesis with screw fixation and possible bone grafting. The bones are aligned in the most functional position, but lose their natural motion. The procedure does eliminate motion in the joint.
Arthrodesis of the hip is more contentious: there is loss of movement at the hip, but the younger patient is often able to compensate through hypermobility of the lumbar spine and knee.
Arthrodesis is not advised when there is a risk that other joints will become stiff - for example, the hip with an already arthrodesed knee on the same limb; or if the second hip is highly likely to stiffen.
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