Arthrodesis

Arthrodesis, also known as artificial ankylosis or syndesis, is the artificial induction of joint ossification between two bones via surgery. This is done to relieve intractable pain in a joint which cannot be managed by pain medication, splints, or other normally-indicated treatments. The typical causes of such pain are fractures which disrupt the joint, and arthritis. It is most commonly performed on joints in the spine, hand, ankle, and foot. Historically, knee and hip arthrodeses were also performed as pain relieving procedures, however with the great successes achieved in hip and knee arthroplasty, arthrodesis of these large joints has fallen out of favour as a primary procedure, and now are only used as procedures of last-resort in some failed arthroplasties.It can be done in several ways:*A bone graft can be created between the two bones using a bone from elsewhere in the person's body or using donor bone from a bone bank. **Bone autograft is generally preferred by surgeons because, as well as eliminating the risks associated with allografts, bone autograft contains native bone-forming cells , so the graft actually forms new bone itself , as well as acting as a matrix or scaffold to new bone growing from the bones being bridged . The main drawback of bone autograft is the limited supply available for harvest.**Bone allograft has the advantage of being available in far larger quantities than autograft; however, the treatment process the bone goes through following harvest, which usually involves irradiation and deep-freezing, kills the bone forming cells. This significantly reduces the immunogenicity such that no anti rejection drugs are needed. The process also makes the allograft function only as an osteoconductive matrix.*A variety of synthetic bone substitutes are commercially available. These are usually hydroxyapatite based granules formed into a coralline or trabecular structure to mimic the structure of cancellous bone. They act solely as an osteoconductive matrix. Some manufacturers have recently begun supplying these products with soluble bone-forming factors such as bone morphogenetic protein to attempt to create a synthetic product with osteoinductive properties.*Metal implants can be attached to the two bones to hold them together in a position which favors bone growth.*A combination of the above methods is also commonly employed to facilitate bony fusion.At the completion of surgery and healing, which takes place over a period of several months to over a year, the two adjoining bones are fused and no motion takes place between them. This can have the effect of actually strengthening the bones, as in anterior cervical fusion. (From the Wikpedia article Arthrodesis.)

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Recent Publications on Arthrodesis:
Transfer of the tendon of tibialis anterior in relapsed congenital clubfoot: LONG-TERM RESULTS IN 38 FEET. A total of 38 relapsed congenital clubfeet (16 stiff, 22 partially...	5th February, 2010	Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Rizzoli Orthopaedic	J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2010 Feb;92(2):277-83. DOI Direct Link
Three-dimensional stereoradiographic modeling of rib cage before and after spinal growing rod procedures in early-onset scoliosis. BACKGROUND: Early-onset scoliosis frequently leads to major thoracic...	5th February, 2010	Arts et Metiers Paristech, CNRS, LBM, 151 Boulevard de l'hopital, 75013	Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2010 Feb 1. DOI Direct Link
Effect of a single dose of pamidronate administered at the time of surgery in a rabbit posterolateral spinal fusion model. Spinal fusion is usually performed on patients who receive bisphosphonates...	4th February, 2010	Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de	Eur Spine J. 2010 Feb 3. DOI Direct Link
[External fixation osteosynthesis.] External fixation is one of the mainstays of surgical fracture treatment....	4th February, 2010	BG Unfallklinik, Schnarrenbergstr. 95, 72076, Tubingen, Deutschland,	Orthopade. 2010 Feb 3. DOI Direct Link
Moje First Metatarsophalangeal Replacement-A Case Series with Functional Outcomes Using the AOFAS-HMI Score. We report the functional results of a case series of Moje first...	4th February, 2010	Orthopaedic Specialist Registrar, Heart of England NHS Trust, West	J Foot Ankle Surg. 2010 January - February;49(1):37-42. DOI Direct Link
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Press Releases About Arthrodesis:
Reportlinker Adds U.S. Market for Small Bone & Joint Orthopedic Devices 2009	17th November, 2009	Reportlinker	NEW YORK, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue. U.S. Market for Small Bone & Joint Orthopedic Devices 2009 http://www

BioNews Results for Arthrodesis:
Atlantoaxial and Craniocervical Arthrodesis in Children: A Tomographic Study Comparing Suitability of C2 Pedicles and C2 Laminae for Screw Fixation	MDLinx:  Feb 4 2010 10:28AM Matching: arthrodesis
Arthroscopic Subtalar Arthrodesis Using a Posterior 2-Portal Approach in the Prone Position	MDLinx:  Feb 2 2010 10:13AM Matching: arthrodesis
Stability of Medial Locking Plate and Compression Screw Versus Two Crossed Screws for Lapidus Arthrodesis	MDLinx:  Jan 28 2010 10:19AM Matching: arthrodesis
Biomechanical Comparison of Blade Plate and Intramedullary Nail Fixation for Tibiocalcaneal Arthrodesis	MDLinx:  Jan 27 2010 10:18AM Matching: arthrodesis

Arthrodesis Clinical Trials:
Follow-up of Patients After Knee Arthrodesis With an Intramedullary Nail

Arthrodesis Patents:
US Patent No.	Title
7563275	Bone fixation implant system and method
7588574	Kits for enabling axial access and procedures in the spine
7588578	Surgical measurement systems and methods
7588590	Spinal facet implant with spherical implant apposition surface and bone bed and methods of use
7588592	System and method for immobilizing adjacent spinous processes
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BioPortfolio Ltd. offers e-mail and postal lists for Arthrodesis scientists - we have details of around 844 individuals working on Arthrodesis .