Arthrodeses is a medical term used to describe a surgical procedure that involves fusion of two bones in a joint to treat arthritis or other joint-related conditions. The word can be pronounced as "ahr-throh-dee-sees" with the IPA phonetic transcription /ɑrˈθroʊ diːsiz/. The letter "a" in the beginning of the word is pronounced as "ahr," similar to the "a" in "car." The "o" is pronounced as "oh," similar to the "o" in "go." The "s" at the end of the word is pronounced as "siz," similar to the sound of the letter "z."
Arthrodeses refers to a surgical procedure that involves the permanent fusion of two or more bones within a joint. It is a procedure typically performed to treat joint disorders or severe joint pain that cannot be relieved through conservative methods.
During an arthrodesis, the surgeon removes the cartilage from the joint surfaces and then aligns and stabilizes the bones in the desired position. The bones are held together with the help of screws, plates, rods, wires, or other fixation devices. Over time, the bones naturally grow together, creating a solid, immobile joint. This fusion eliminates movement at the joint, which may help to alleviate pain and improve joint stability.
Arthrodesis is commonly performed on joints such as the spine, knee, ankle, wrist, finger, or toe. It is often recommended when conservative treatments like medication, physical therapy, or joint injections have failed to provide relief. The procedure aims to address joint deformities, instability, severe arthritis, or joint damage caused by trauma or disease.
While arthrodesis can successfully reduce pain and increase joint stability, it does permanently eliminate joint movement. This lack of movement may affect a person's ability to perform certain activities, as it can restrict their range of motion. Therefore, the decision to undergo arthrodesis is usually carefully considered after weighing the potential benefits against the loss of joint mobility.
The word "arthrodeses" comes from the Greek root "arthro-" meaning joint, and the Latin suffix "-desis" meaning a binding or fixation. Therefore, "arthrodeses" refers to a surgical procedure or technique that involves the fusion or fixation of a joint.