Surgical approaches for osteoarthritis

Patients with osteoarthritis (OA) often benefit from properly performed surgical procedures. However, the scientific database from studies investigating appropriate timing of surgery, patient morbidity, quality of life before and after the intervention, and cost utility of different procedures is insufficient. In order to allow a fair allocation of resources in future health care systems, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with defined entry criteria, sufficient number of patients, and valid outcome measures should be performed for different surgical approaches. They should especially include control groups with conservative treatment in order to allow an evidence based comparison between different therapeutic approaches. At present, however, optimal management of OA as a dynamic disease process must include a combination of conservative as well as operative treatment modalities. In case of malalignment, instability and intra-articular causes of mechanical dysfunction, correction of these abnormalities and relief of symptoms can be achieved with properly indicated and performed osteotomies. Debridement by arthroscopy and arthotomy probably does not alter the natural history of OA and true clinical outcomes are difficult to determine, but it can provide transient relief of symptoms. Joint replacement has to be considered for refractory pain associated with disability and radiological deterioration. As the pre-operative functional status seems to influence the outcome not only in joint replacement but also in joint-preserving osteotomies, the indication for these procedures might be expanded in the future.