Dr. Rosenbaum answers the question: 'Arthrodesis For Rheumatoid Arthritis?'
Question: What is arthrodesis and how is it used to treat pain resulting from rheumatoid arthritis?
Answer: There are a number of ways in which joint destruction is managed. And, when a joint has been seriously injured by rheumatoid arthritis, there are several opportunities to resolve the problems that have resulted. Arthrodesis is one of them, which literally means a fusion of the joint. Now this generally works best for joints where the function of the extremity will not be dramatically impacted by the fusion. So wrist fusions and ankle fusions are not that uncommon in patients with severe destructive disease, which allows the patient to have relief of pain and actually better function over the long term.
Occasionally, arthrodesis or fusion has to be done in joints that have become infected, and where joints have been replaced and then become infected again. This is a much more radical approach to resolving the infection rather than improving function and reducing pain.
