Elective Surgery

Question 1

For orthopaedic conditions it’s common for conservative methods to be used prior to surgical intervention. What are some of these conservative methods?

Answer 1

Lifestyle advice, rest, physiotherapy, analgesia, splints, steroids and NSAID’s.

Question 2

What is arthroplasty?

Answer 2

Arthroplasty means reshaping of the joint. This means the same as joint replacement however it is a term that can be used to describe the removal of a diseased joint.

Question 3

If arthroplasty (joint replacement) is removal of joint, what is hemiarthroplasty?

Answer 3

Hemiarthroplasty is the removal of half a joint.

Question 4

Most successful joint replacements are within the hip and knee. What other areas can joint replacement be carried out in?

Answer 4

Shoulder, elbow, ankle, 1st MTP joint, MCP joint and wrist.

Question 5

What complications can occur following arthroplasty?

Answer 5

Deep infection, recurrent dislocation, neurovascular injury, pulmonary embolism and other medical complications (e.g. MI, renal failure).

Question 6

What does excision arthroplasty involve?

Answer 6

Removal of the bone or cartilage on one/both sides of a joint. This may be disabling in large joints, but effective in small joints. A procedure used if hip/shoulder replacement fails.

Question 7

What is arthrodesis?

Answer 7

Surgical stiffening/fusion of a joint into a position of function

Question 8

What is an osteotomy?

Answer 8

Surgical realignment of bone to correct deformities and redistribute load across an arthritic joint.