Surgical Relief

A number of surgical interventions can help relieve the pain caused by osteoarthritis. They range from office procedures done under local anesthesia to major surgery that requires hospitalization. The type of procedure that is appropriate for an individual osteoarthritis patient will depend on a variety of patient characteristics that have to be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon.

In people whose osteoarthritis of the hips or knees has progressed so much that pain can no longer be relieved with medication or who have a major joint that no longer functions, surgical treatment can bring considerable relief and restoration of function. Surgical treatment may be especially appropriate if there is painful locking of the joint or severe pain that significantly limits activity and cannot be relieved with medication.