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:
[Preserving foot surgery for diabetics.] The reconstruction of a diabetic foot is still a challenge for the...	13th November, 2009	Stiftung Orthopadische Universitatsklinik, Schlierbacher Landstrasse 200a,	Orthopade. 2009 Nov 13. DOI Direct Link
Staged Lengthening Arthroplasty for Pediatric Osteosarcoma around the Knee. BACKGROUND: Orthopaedic oncologists often must address leg-length...	4th November, 2009	Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, 215-4,	Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2009 Nov 3. DOI Direct Link
Proximal Femoral Allograft: Prognostic Indicators. Between 1972 and 1999, the Orthopedic Oncology Service treated 150...	3rd November, 2009	Oliver Wendell Holmes Society Mentee Program, Harvard Medical School,	J Arthroplasty. 2009 Oct 29. DOI Direct Link
Carpal arthrodesis in cats. Pancarpal and partial carpal arthrodesis were performed in 22 carpi (20...	31st 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...	31st October, 2009	Department of Orthopaedic Surgery D, Roger Salengro Hospital, Lille	Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2009 Nov;95(7):520-8. Epub 2009 Oct 28. 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:
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

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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BioPortfolio Ltd. offers e-mail and postal lists for Arthrodesis scientists - we have details of around 844 individuals working on Arthrodesis .