arthrodesis

Arthrodesis, also known as joint fusion, is a surgical procedure that fuses the bones of a joint to eliminate motion and provide long-term stability. The procedure is performed to relieve pain and restore structural integrity in joints that are degenerated, unstable, fractured in a nonunion, or deformed. Fusion creates a single, continuous bone mass across the joint, typically achieved with bone grafts and mechanical fixation.

Commonly fused joints include the ankle, subtalar, foot joints, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, and the spine (spinal fusion). The choice depends on disease, anatomy, and functional demands. Techniques combine bone graft material—autograft from the patient, allograft, or synthetic substitutes—with internal fixation such as screws, plates, rods, or external frames to hold the bones in the desired position while healing occurs.

Outcomes and recovery: The goal is pain relief and mechanical stability. Fusion may take several months to consolidate. Loss of movement at the fused joint is permanent; adjacent joints may experience increased stress over time. Smoking, poor nutrition, infection, and poor vascularity increase nonunion risk. Rehabilitation and gradual weight bearing are tailored to the joint and technique.

Risks and alternatives: Complications include infection, malunion/nonunion, nerve damage, hardware irritation, and adjacent segment degeneration. Alternatives include joint arthroplasty (replacement), osteotomy to correct alignment while preserving some motion, or nonoperative measures for less severe disease. Arthrodesis remains a useful option when motion is intolerable, stability is essential, or joint replacement is unsuitable.