Arthritis is an inflammatory disorder that causes gradual damage to joints. Treatment is necessary to avoid further deterioration and restore mobility to the affected areas. One of the most prominent treatments for arthritis is joint restoration, where a surgeon essentially repairs or removes diseased tissue. Through this technique, surgeons can restore joint function while reducing the need for joint replacement.
Learn more about arthritis and how joint restoration helps improve outcomes so that you can better appreciate this medical procedure.
Disease Mechanisms of Arthritis
To understand how arthritis can be “scraped” out of a joint, it helps to know how arthritis develops. Normal joints rely on connective tissue to anchor moving parts and provide stability while still allowing for flexibility. Cartilage exists between the bones that meet at joints, and its role is to prevent the bones from rubbing against each other. Without cartilage, bone surfaces grind against each other and become inflamed.
With osteoarthritis, the cartilage layer becomes worn off due to wear and tear. As it deteriorates, its protective effects begin to decrease. Affected joints become stiff and swollen from inflammation, impacting their function. Meanwhile, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the synovial membrane, which lines the joint capsule that encases the joint. This causes swelling and inflammation and may eventually damage the cartilage and bone.
Joint Reconstruction
Joint reconstruction is a surgical intervention that manually repairs damaged areas of bone and cartilage in arthritic joints. In a typical procedure, surgeons remove diseased or defective tissue and reshape surfaces to allow for better function. They use several tools that can make precise cuts, grind, and provide suction for joint repair. The objectives may include smoothening any rough surfaces and sculpting structures to distribute load towards healthier regions of the joint.
In many cases, arthroscopic procedures are possible options for joint reconstruction. In such procedures, surgeons introduce a narrow tube through a small incision into the joint space. This instrument called an arthroscope, contains a camera and several tools that allow your doctor to view and manipulate tissue.
During the procedure, they may remove inflamed synovial tissue and trim or smoothen irregular cartilage. Your surgeon can also remove loose pieces of bone or cartilage that may contribute to irritation in the joint. Arthroscopy is a less invasive way to perform joint reconstruction, allowing for faster recovery and reducing the risk of complications.
Doctors might also perform joint reconstruction in conjunction with other procedures, such as cartilage regeneration. For example, surgeons need to remove damaged areas before they introduce new cartilage tissue into the joint.
Benefits and Considerations
By removing only damaged tissue, reconstruction spares more of the joint structure. Hence, recovery is usually faster than for joint replacement. The risk of complications is also lower, especially for minimally invasive procedures. Patients can avoid many of the drawbacks of joint replacement, such as foreign material rejection or artificial joint failure.
However, not everyone can be a candidate for joint reconstruction. If the cartilage layer is destroyed, tissue removal alone will not resolve symptoms. For extensive damage, joint replacement might be necessary to address arthritis.
Joint Reconstruction for Arthritis in Clinton Township, MI
Joint reconstruction is an option for some with arthritis. It also facilitates other procedures like cartilage regeneration. Through direct mechanical repair, joint reconstruction is useful for cases where conservative treatments failed to work. Ultimately, reshaping joint components can offer greater range of motion and less discomfort for many patients.
Learn more about joint reconstruction and preservation at Movement Orthopedics. Our medical team utilizes cutting-edge orthopedic and sports medicine treatments in our facility in Clinton Township. We handle a wide range of orthopedic conditions, with treatment plans customized for your specific needs. For inquiries, contact us at (586) 436-3785 or use our online appointment request form.
