Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Get Facts Before Arthritis Treatment

When used properly, small joint replacement can be very successful, but only for those whose symptoms have not improved with other treatments, and only when done by a properly trained surgeon, reports the Arthritis Foundation.

The current issue of Arthritis Today , the foundation's national consumer magazine, outlines treatment options other than surgery, and the benefits and risks of surgery to help people with arthritis make informed decisions.

"Standard treatments that physicians typically recommend first include exercise, weight control, splints and hot and cold treatments, plus over- the-counter and prescription medications to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and slow down the disease process," says Christopher Adams, M.D., chair of the medical committee, Arthritis Foundation, Arkansas chapter.

"When these measures fail, physicians may then refer patients to an orthopedic surgeon to discuss surgical options," Adams continued.

The key to making an educated decision is arming yourself with facts about all your treatment options and discussing them with your physician. Before prescribing small joint replacement surgery, physicians must consider your physical and medical eligibility, as well as reasons for wanting the surgery.

If your expectations are unreasonable, surgeons may hesitate to peform the procedure.

During small joint replacement surgery, the diseased portion of the joint is removed and replaced with an artificial joint made of a flexible material. The two ends of bone then are united with the implant between them.

After surgery, the finger or toe regions function as tissue begins to grow around the implant. Surgery can offer benefits, such as improved movement and use of a joint, relief of pain and an improvement in the alignment of deformed joints.

There is no clear consensus among physicians on when replacement of small joints is most appropriate and risk-free. The decision simply varies from patient to patient.

"Some of the risks may include infection following surgery, continued pain in the joint, breakdown of an implant after years of use," Adams continued. "In some cases, the rough ends of the bone create stress points in the implant material, causing it to break down or deform."

Sometimes joint replacements need to be revised, or redone, and even removed altogether. Virtually any implant eventually will fail mechanically as a result of wear and tear. Researchers continue to study ways to improve the materials currently used in artificial joints and the outlook for advances in this field is promising.

Once patients understand all treatment options and the possible risks involved in small joint surgery, they and their physicians can make the decision that is right for them.

For more information about arthritis and surgery, including a free brochure, call the Arthritis Foundation at 1-800-482-8858.

The Arthritis Foundation is the source of help and hope for the nearly 40 million American affected by arthritis. The foundation supports research to find ways to cure and prevent arthritis, and to improve the quality of life for those affected by arthritis.