What is arthrodesis?

Arthrodesis is an orthopedic surgery that fuses two or more bones together to stabilize a joint, relieve pain, and restore function.

Arthrodesis is mainly used to treat severe arthritis, traumatic joint injuries, congenital or acquired joint deformities, and other joint diseases that cannot be relieved by conservative treatment. An appropriate anesthetic method, such as general anesthesia or regional anesthesia, is selected according to the surgical site and patient's condition. The surgical incision is used to expose the joint site that needs fusion. The diseased tissues such as joint capsule, synovium, cartilage, etc. are removed to provide conditions for bone fusion. Use metal plates, screws, or other fixation devices to hold the bone ends together to promote bone healing and fusion. The surgical incision is then closed layer by layer and external fixation devices such as drainage tubes and plaster trays are placed.