Surgical Options for Osteoarthritis

Surgical Options for Osteoarthritis

Surgical Options for Osteoarthritis

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Surgical Indications - When the Knife Calls

  • Failure of conservative management (>3-6 months):
    • Includes analgesics, NSAIDs, physiotherapy, lifestyle changes, joint injections.
  • Patient Factors:
    • Appropriate age, activity level.
    • Manageable comorbidities.
    • Realistic expectations; motivated for rehabilitation.
  • Osteoarthritis Severity:
    • Radiographic: Kellgren-Lawrence Grade III-IV.
    • Symptomatic: Severe pain (e.g., VAS >6/10), functional disability, poor QoL.
  • 📌 PAIN Triggers Surgery:
    • Persistent pain
    • Activity-limiting
    • Intolerable / Incapacitating
    • Night pain

⭐ Key indication for surgery is pain and functional disability refractory to adequate conservative treatment.

Arthroscopy - Scope & Hope

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Osteotomy - Angle Adjusters

Surgical bone cut & realignment to shift load, unload damaged compartment, delay arthroplasty.

  • Aim: Correct malalignment, relieve pain, improve function, preserve joint.
  • Key Indications: Unicompartmental OA, active patients <60 yrs, good ROM, stable ligaments.
Osteotomy TypeIndicationDeformity Corrected
High Tibial (HTO)Medial compartment knee OAVarus
Distal Femoral (DFO)Lateral compartment knee OAValgus

⭐ HTO is ideal for young (<60 yrs), active patients with isolated medial compartment knee OA & varus deformity, delaying TKR. HTO vs Osteoarthritis surgical technique correcting varus knee deformity diagram)oka

Arthroplasty - New Joints Now!

  • Replaces diseased joint with prosthesis; relieves pain, restores function. Lifespan: 15-20 years.

  • Types:

    • TJA: Hip (THA), Knee (TKA), Shoulder (TSA).
    • UKA: Medial/lateral knee compartment.
  • Components:

    • Metal (Co-Cr, Ti)
    • Polyethylene (UHMWPE)
    • Ceramics (Alumina, Zirconia) X-ray of Total Knee Arthroplasty Components
  • Fixation:

    FeatureCemented (PMMA)Uncemented (Press-fit)
    MechanismGrout, immediate stabilityBone ingrowth
    Ideal ForOlder, poor boneYounger, active, good bone
    ProsEarly WB, ↓ fracture riskLonger fixation potential
    ConsCement debris, heat necrosisMicromotion, thigh pain
  • Complications: 📌 "In D-LoW P-ain":

    • Infection (early/delayed/late)
    • DVT/PE
    • Loosening (aseptic/septic)
    • Wear & Osteolysis
    • Periprosthetic Fracture
    • Dislocation (THA common)
    • Stiffness / Arthrofibrosis

⭐ Aseptic loosening, often due to polyethylene wear and subsequent osteolysis, is the most common reason for late failure of total joint arthroplasty.

Arthrodesis - Motion No More

  • Surgical joint fusion: sacrifices motion for stability & pain relief.
  • Indications:
    • End-stage OA (ankle, wrist, spine, small hand/foot joints).
    • Failed TJA, severe instability, infection.
  • Trade-off: Pain relief for permanent loss of motion. 1st Metatarsal Phalangeal Joint Arthrodesis

⭐ Arthrodesis is a salvage procedure providing pain relief and stability, particularly effective for end-stage ankle or wrist arthritis, but results in complete loss of joint motion.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Arthrodesis: Pain relief & stability for young patients, monoarticular OA (e.g., ankle); sacrifices motion.
  • High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO): For medial knee OA in young, active patients with varus; delays TKR.
  • Total Joint Replacement (TJR): Gold standard for end-stage OA (hip, knee); best pain relief & function.
  • Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty (UKA): For isolated compartment knee OA; faster recovery than TKR.
  • Arthroscopic debridement: Temporary relief in mild OA; no disease modification.
  • Cartilage repair procedures (e.g., ACI, OATS): For focal chondral defects, not generalized OA_._

Practice Questions: Surgical Options for Osteoarthritis

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Severe disability in primary osteoarthritis of hip is best managed by -

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Flashcards: Surgical Options for Osteoarthritis

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_____ is characterized by eburnation (polishing) of the subchondral bone

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_____ is characterized by eburnation (polishing) of the subchondral bone

Osteoarthritis

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