Arthrodesis, also known as joint fusion, is the artificial induction of joint ossification between two bones by surgery, done to relieve intractable pain in a joint that cannot be managed by medication, splints or other standard treatments. It is most commonly performed on joints of the spine, hand, ankle and foot, and although knee and hip arthrodeses were once also performed, they have largely fallen out of favor since the success of hip and knee replacement surgery, remaining only a last resort in some failed replacements.
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Arthrodesis
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Does smoking affect whether a joint fusion heals?
Smoking greatly increases the risk that the bones fail to join.
Yes. One hospital patient guide to ankle and hindfoot fusion lists non-union as a known complication, in which the bones occasionally fail to unite. It states that if you smoke, your risk of non-union or major complications is greatly increased, and that patients are advised to stop smoking before surgery and not to smoke until all the bones have healed. The same guide says a fusion may be advised against if you smoke.
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Source Arthrodesis (Wikipedia)
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Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundation
Arthrodesis (Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthrodesis, lead section
Arthrodesis, also known as joint fusion, is the artificial induction of joint ossification between two bones by surgery.
Treats: Pain, Lead: treats Pain
This is done to relieve intractable pain in a joint which cannot be managed by pain medication, splints, or other normally indicated treatments.
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