About Arthrodesis Hand
Key Highlights
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Provides permanent pain relief from a severely arthritic or damaged joint.Eliminates joint instability, improving hand strength and function for daily activities.Corrects significant deformities, improving the alignment and appearance of the hand.Offers a definitive solution when other treatments like therapy or bracing have failed.Performed by pediatric specialists who understand the unique anatomy and growth patterns of children's hands.
Who is this surgery for?
- Severe, painful osteoarthritis or post-traumatic arthritis in a hand/wrist joint unresponsive to conservative care.
- Joint instability or deformity due to neuromuscular conditions like cerebral palsy.
- Advanced rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory arthropathies causing joint destruction.
- Post-injury conditions like a non-union (bone that didn't heal) or malunion (bone healed in poor position) affecting a joint.
- Certain congenital deformities where joint fusion can improve function and alignment.
- Chronic joint infections (septic arthritis) that have destroyed the joint cartilage.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive evaluation including detailed physical exam, X-rays, and possibly CT scans to plan the fusion.
- Discussion of the procedure's goals, permanent loss of motion at the fused joint, and expected outcomes with the child and family.
- Pre-operative blood tests and a general health check to ensure fitness for anesthesia.
- Guidance on stopping certain medications (like blood thinners) prior to surgery as advised by the surgeon.
- Arranging for post-operative help at home and planning for the child's absence from school and activities.
- Fasting as instructed before the surgery, typically from midnight the night before.
Risks & possible complications
- Standard surgical risks: infection, bleeding, or adverse reaction to anesthesia.
- Non-union: The bones may fail to fuse together, requiring additional surgery.
- Malunion: The bones may fuse in an incorrect position.
- Nerve or blood vessel injury, which could lead to numbness, weakness, or circulation issues.
- Hardware irritation: Plates or screws may cause discomfort and require later removal.
- Persistent pain or stiffness in adjacent joints due to increased stress.
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a chronic pain condition.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial recovery involves wearing a cast or splint for 6-12 weeks to protect the fusion until the bones are solidly healed.
- Pain is managed with prescribed medication, and the hand must be kept elevated to reduce swelling.
- Stitches or staples are removed 10-14 days after surgery.
- Regular follow-up X-rays are taken to monitor the progress of bone fusion.
- Once the cast is removed, a course of occupational/hand therapy is crucial to regain strength and motion in the unfused joints of the hand and wrist.
- Full recovery and return to all activities, including sports, may take 4-6 months, depending on the joint fused and the child's healing.
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Typical hospital stay: 2-3 days
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Expected recovery time: 12-16 weeks for bone fusion, 4-6 months for full functional recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering arthrodesis hand in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with pediatric orthopedics departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform arthrodesis hand. MediFyr helps you compare pediatric orthopedics and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for arthrodesis hand compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 120 Thousand – 300 Thousand | 2-3 days | ~ 12-16 weeks for bone fusion, 4-6 months for full functional recovery | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 420 Thousand – 1.05 Million | 2-3 days | ~ 12-16 weeks for bone fusion, 4-6 months for full functional recovery | Know More |
Vihaan Verma, a bright and artistic...
Vihaan Verma, a bright and artistic 12-year-old from Mumbai, India, had always loved sketching and building intricate models. However, for the past three years, he had struggled with a progressive deformity in his right thumb due to a severe, unstable joint caused by a rare congenital condition called delta phalanx. His thumb was bent at an awkward angle, weak, and painful when he tried to grip a pencil or a tool. It made his favorite hobbies frustrating and was starting to affect his handwriting at school. After consultations with several specialists, Dr. Sharma, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, recommended a thumb CMC (carpometacarpal) arthrodesis. He explained that fusing the unstable joint at the base of the thumb would eliminate the pain, provide a strong, stable post for grip, and correct the deformity. Vihaan was nervous about losing some motion but trusted his doctor. The surgery went smoothly. The recovery involved a cast for six weeks, which was challenging for an active boy, but his family and friends decorated it with drawings. After cast removal and dedicated occupational therapy, Vihaan was thrilled. His thumb was straight, strong, and pain-free. He could write comfortably for long periods and, most importantly, returned to drawing and model-building with newfound confidence and precision. His emotional journey moved from frustration and self-consciousness about his hand to pride and relief, feeling like he had been given the tool he needed to fully express his creativity.
Pediatric Orthopedics for Arthrodesis Hand
Explore experienced pediatric orthopedics who regularly perform arthrodesis hand and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 14 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Ghaziabad, Ghaziabad
- 23 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata