nivelkirurgia

Nivelkirurgia is a Finnish term for the surgical treatment of joints and a subspecialty within orthopedics. It aims to relieve pain, restore function, and improve mobility for patients with degenerative, traumatic, or deformity-related joint conditions. While it encompasses several joints, it most commonly involves the knee and hip; procedures are also performed on the shoulder, elbow, ankle, and, less commonly, the wrist.

Common techniques include arthroplasty (joint replacement), arthroscopy (minimally invasive joint inspection and treatment), osteotomy (realigning bones to adjust load), ligament reconstruction, and cartilage restoration methods such as microfracture or autologous chondrocyte implantation.

Indications include severe osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, post-traumatic joint damage, and congenital deformities, particularly when non-surgical measures fail. Outcomes range from pain relief to improved function, with patient factors influencing results.

Risks include infection, blood clots, implant loosening or failure, nerve or vessel injury, and stiffness. Training involves medical school, a residency in orthopedics, and often fellowship training in joint surgery or arthroplasty. The field is evolving with less invasive techniques, robotic assistance, better implants, and biologic therapies, while rehabilitation and multidisciplinary care remain essential.