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. It is most commonly performed on joints in the spine, hand, knee, and ankle.
It can be done in one of two ways:
- A bone bridge can be created between the two bones using a bone from elsewhere in the person's body or from a bone bank to stimulate bone growth.
- Metal implants can be attached to the two bones to hold them together in a position which favors bone growth.
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.