What is it?
Arthrodesis (targeted in the wrist, hand, and/or finger) is a procedure designed for joint fusion to remove the damaged and bony ends of the affected joint(s) and alleviate pain associated with joint disease and/or injury.
How is it Performed?
In arthrodesis, two bones on each of an affected joint are fused, which eliminates the joint itself and makes for one continuous and unjointed bone. The surgeon will use pins, plates, screws, and rods to hold the bones around the region to stay still while the joints are in the process of being fused. The surgeon may need to use a bone graft taken from somewhere else on the body to replace missing bone in the process.