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:
Carpal arthrodesis in cats. Pancarpal and partial carpal arthrodesis were performed in 22 carpi (20...	30th October, 2009	Ignacio Calvo, Ldo Vet, CertSAS, MRCVS, University of Glasgow Veterinary	Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2009 Oct 29;22(6). DOI Direct Link
Knee arthodesis using a modular customized intramedullary nail. INTRODUCTION: Arthrodesis of the knee, particularly in infectious...	30th October, 2009	Department of Orthopaedic Surgery D, Roger Salengro Hospital, Lille	Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2009 Oct 27. DOI Direct Link
[Posterior fusion versus posterior interbody fusion in segmental spinal fixation for aged spondylolisthesis] OBJECTIVE: Clinical and radiographic results in 30 consecutive patients...	30th October, 2009	Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated First Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong	Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2009 Jul 7;89(25):1779-82.
Complications associated with autogenous bone marrow aspirate harvest from the lower extremity: an observational cohort study. The purpose of this article is to report the complications associated with...	28th October, 2009	Limb Preservation Service, Vascular/Endovascular Surgery Service,	J Foot Ankle Surg. 2009 Nov-Dec;48(6):668-71. Epub 2009 Aug 26. DOI Direct Link
Arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint using a single screw: retrospective analysis of 109 feet. Arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint is a recommended...	28th October, 2009	Orthopaedic Surgery, Spaarne Hospital, Bloemhofstraat 9 zwart, Haarlem,	J Foot Ankle Surg. 2009 Nov-Dec;48(6):653-61. Epub 2009 Jul 2. DOI Direct Link
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BioNews Results for Arthrodesis:
Limb Salvage in Charcot Foot and Ankle Osteomyelitis: Combined Use Single Stage/Double Stage of Arthrodesis and External Fixation	MDLinx:  Oct 29 2009 12:32PM Matching: arthrodesis
High Fusion Rates with Circular Plate Fixation for Four-corner Arthrodesis of the Wrist	MDLinx:  Oct 26 2009 11:13AM Matching: arthrodesis
The Correction of Pelvic Obliquity in Patients With Cerebral Palsy and Neuromuscular Scoliosis: Is There a Benefit of Anterior Release Prior to Posterior Spinal Arthrodesis	MDLinx:  Oct 9 2009 1:29PM Matching: arthrodesis
Clinical Outcomes of Scaphoid and Triquetral Excision With Capitolunate Arthrodesis Versus Scaphoid Excision and Four-Corner Arthrodesis	MDLinx:  Oct 6 2009 11:51AM Matching: arthrodesis
Resection Arthrodesis of the Ankle for Aggressive Tumors of the Distal Tibia in Children	MDLinx:  Sep 29 2009 9:56AM Matching: arthrodesis
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Arthrodesis Clinical Trials:
Follow-up of Patients After Knee Arthrodesis With an Intramedullary Nail

Arthrodesis Patents:
US Patent No.	Title
7491236	Dual anchor prosthetic nucleus apparatus
7534263	Surgical tools facilitating increased accuracy, speed and simplicity in performing joint arthroplasty
7534265	Intervertebral spacers with side wall accessible interior cavity
7534268	Devices and methods for disc replacement
7540874	Method and device for use in osteotomy
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