When the patient can not get adequate pain relief from the previously mentioned treatments then they may want to consider surgery. Surgery can range from outpatient procedures to procedures which require the patient to stay in the hospital for several days. The goal of surgery is to eliminate the pain and dysfunction associated with arthritis.
Surgery
Arthroscopy
This procedure involves making 3 small poke holes into the knee and cleaning out loose material and washing out the joint. This is usually an outpatient procedure and can provide the patient with some pain relief depending on the severity of the disease.
Osteotomy
This is a procedure which involves cutting the bone to try to realign the joint in order to redistribute the forces across the joint better.
Below is the x-ray of a patient who had their shin bone cut to help realign his knee. With this procedure patients can expect 5 - 10 years of pain relief.
Joint Replacement
Joint replacement is the most common surgical treatment options. It involves cutting a small portion of the joint and replacing it with an artificial substance, usually metal and plastic. This cures the patients arthritis since the joint is literally cutout. Patients can expect excellent pain relief and function for many years. Present day joint replacements can last greater than 20 years in many patients. This is an excellent option for patients with severe arthritis.
To the right is a picture of a hip replacement. The metal ball fits into the plastic socket.
Hip Replacement
General information (with pictures) on hip replacements
Knee Replacement
General information (with pictures) on knee replacements