Surgical Treatment for Arthritis
You may have heard dramatic stories abut improvements made in arthritic conditions by joint replacement operations and other surgical techniques. There have been many success stories in recent years. Surgical techniques are effective in many cases, but before you begin thinking about replacement of your aching joints or a mechanical repair of them, arthritis experts recommend exhausting all other therapies first. In most cases surgery is advised only after other techniques, such as drug therapy, rest, physical therapy, exercise, and improvement of overall health, have been tried and have failed to produce good results.
Joint surgery for arthritis requires expertise and should be performed in specialized facilities that also can offer other forms of treatment, such as rehabilitation therapy. If you are advised a surgical procedure, you may want to obtain a second opinion and thoroughly check out the surgeon who is suggested to perform surgery as well as the facility at which it will be performed.
Since the l960s, when the first successful total hip-joint replacement operation was performed, there have been many advances in surgical techniques to relieve the chronic pain and permanent disability of arthritis. The first total hip replacement utilized a joint consisting of metal and plastic parts and was the result of a collaborative effort among engineers, orthopedic surgeons, and arthritis specialists.
As a result of success with hip joint replacement, researchers have developed techniques to improve other joints. Artificial components can now replace the knee joint. Other surgical techniques have been improved for use on the ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand.