Different Types of Osteoarthritis Surgery
Table of Contents
Osteoarthritis is a debilitating disease that affects millions of individuals. According to WHO, 10 to 15% of people over the age of 60 suffer from OA symptoms. For many, managing this condition with medication and physical therapy can only go so far. In fact, approximately 790,000 knee replacement surgeries are performed annually in the US to treat osteoarthritis.(1)
Suppose you have been struggling with joint pain and wondering if osteoarthritis surgery can finally help. But before making that decision, it’s critical to understand the different surgical options available and their possible advantages and drawbacks.
Types of Osteoarthritis Surgery
There are many types of osteoarthritis surgery options available to help lower OA symptoms. These operations range from less invasive arthroscopy to more sophisticated surgeries like total joint replacement. Below, we will look at the different surgical therapies for osteoarthritis, especially focusing on common joints such as the knee and hip.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive osteoarthritis surgery that involves making tiny incisions around the joint and inserting a thin tube containing a camera (arthroscope). This allows the surgeon to see into the joint and repair any damaged tissues. Although this method is most typically employed on the knees, it can also be applied to other joints.
In osteoarthritis knee surgery, the arthroscopic operation can include smoothing rough cartilage surfaces or removing loose pieces that cause pain. Although this method is less intrusive, it is often more helpful for milder types of osteoarthritis and less advantageous for severe cases with substantial cartilage degradation.(2)
It is considered a short-term treatment for younger or more active individuals who want pain relief but are not yet prepared for a more intrusive procedure, such as knee replacement. The overall success rate of arthroscopy is 85 to 90%, but it varies depending on the patient’s condition.(3)
Pros
- It is a less invasive procedure, needing only small
- As it is minimally invasive, recovery time is shorter than other
- The success rate is very
Cons
- There is only limited benefit for people with severe
- Also, this is not a permanent solution, and symptoms can return over
Osteotomy
An osteotomy is a procedure that includes cutting and reshaping bones to reduce strain on the affiliated joint. This operation is often performed as a surgery for knee osteoarthritis, particularly in younger or more active people who don’t want joint replacement.
Osteotomy realigns the bones, redistributing the body’s weight away from damaged cartilage and toward healthy joint parts.
A knee osteotomy, for instance, entails shifting weight-bearing pressure from the damaged inner knee to the outside, less damaged portion, which can provide considerable pain relief. (4)
Pros
- It preserves the natural
- It delays the necessity for joint replacement in young individuals for 10 to 30
Cons
- Recovery time is longer than
- It is not recommended for severe
Partial Joint Replacement
Partial joint replacement, also known as uni-compartmental replacement, can be a good osteoarthritis surgery if osteoarthritis affects just one area of the joint. This type of osteoarthritis knee surgery involves replacing diseased components of the knee while keeping the healthy sections intact.
It is less intrusive than a total knee replacement, resulting in faster recovery and normal joint function. According to research, more than 90% of partial knee replacements continue to operate well ten years following this osteoarthritis surgery.(5)
Pros
- Recovery duration is shorter compared to total joint
- Better preservation of normal knee
Cons
If osteoarthritis spreads to the rest of the knee, a complete replacement may be required.
- It is not recommended for those with severe or extensive joint
Total Joint Replacement
Total joint replacement, also called arthroplasty, is the most popular and successful surgical treatment for osteoarthritis in its late stages. During this osteoarthritis surgery, the damaged joint is removed and replaced with an artificial one composed of metal, plastic, or ceramic materials. This procedure is commonly used for knees and hips. Around 544,000 hip replacements are done annually in the US.
Total knee replacement offers 90 to 95% pain relief and has only a 1 to 2 % complication risk. This surgery is often indicated for persons with severe OA who have not responded well to non- surgical therapies.(6)
Pros
- Most patients report considerable pain reduction and increased
- Joint replacement is a long-term solution
Cons
- It takes a long time to
- There is some risk of complications like infection or implant
Joint Fusion
Joint fusion, also called arthrodesis, is less common. However, it may be indicated in circumstances when joint replacement is not an option, especially for smaller joints such as the hands, wrists, or feet.
During this surgery, the bones are fused together using pins or screws, removing the joint completely and limiting further mobility in that joint.
While this surgery can relieve pain, it restricts mobility in the affected joint. Joint fusion is often used as a last option for individuals who are unable to undergo joint replacement or other surgical treatments for osteoarthritis. (7)
Pros
- It is beneficial for relieving pain in small joints like
- It is a durable solution for patients who can’t undergo joint
Cons
- One major disadvantage of this joint is that it permanently inhibits mobility in the fused
- Over time, this can cause compensating difficulties in neighboring
Newer Techniques: Cartilage Transplantation and Regenerative Procedures
In rare circumstances, particularly in younger individuals, surgeons may employ regenerative procedures to heal damaged cartilage rather than replace the joint. These procedures include autologous chondrocyte implantation and osteochondral grafting, which involve transplanting healthy cartilage cells to injured regions.
Cartilage regeneration is still in its developmental phase but has shown promise in research. These therapies are emerging options for osteoarthritis surgery, especially for patients under 50 with localized cartilage degradation.
Conclusion
Several treatments are available for osteoarthritis surgery, depending on the stage and location of the disease. The best surgical option for you is determined by your age, amount of activity, and the severity of your disease. Options range from less invasive operations like arthroscopy and osteotomy to more intrusive and effective procedures like total joint replacement.
Before making a choice, consult with your orthopedic surgeon about the best surgical treatments for osteoarthritis specific to your case.
(ACR, 2024)
(Modi, 2022)
(OCOPC, 2021)
(Daniel Wiznia, 2024)
(AAHKS PPR Committee, 2018) (Rönn, 2011)
(Arthritis Foundation Team, 2023)
References
- (2024). Joint Replacement Surgery. Retrieved from ACR:
https://rheumatology.org/patients/joint-replacement-surgery - AAHKS PPR (2018). Surgical Options for Knee Arthritis. Retrieved from AAHKS:
https://hipkneeinfo.org/knee-care/surgical-options-for-knee-arthritis/ - Arthritis Foundation (2023). Understand Your Joint Surgery Options. Retrieved from Arthritis Foundation:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/surgery-for-osteoarthritis - Daniel Wiznia, M. (2024). What are the types of surgery for osteoarthritis? Retrieved from Medical News Today:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/surgery-for-osteoarthritis - Modi, D. L. (2022). What is the success rate of knee arthroscopy surgery? Retrieved from Jaipur Joints:
https://www.jaipurjoints.com/health-tips/what-is-the-success-rate-of-knee-arthroscopy-surgery/ - (2021). What is the success rate of partial knee replacement? Retrieved from Orange County Orthopedic & Pain Center:
https://orangecountyorthopediccenter.com/what-is-the-success-rate-of-partial-knee-replacement/ - Rönn, (2011). Current Surgical Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis. Arthritis.