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Upper Limb and Hand Pathology

Arthritis

OVERVIEW

Over 100 different forms of arthritis and related disorders fall under the umbrella term "arthritis". Typically, one or more joints may enlarge and become tender due to the condition. The tendons and ligaments around the joint may also be impacted by inflammation, affecting patients’ quality of life.

Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent type of arthritis. It is a degenerative joint condition that develops with age or trauma when the cartilage in the joints wears away. Gout and rheumatoid arthritis are two additional widespread forms of arthritis. Dr du Plessis   primarily treats arthritis of the shoulder, wrist, elbow, and hand.

Types of arthritis include:

  • Degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis)
  • Post traumatic arthritis
  • Autoimmune arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis)
  • Crystal deposition disease (gout)

Causes

Arthritis can be caused by a variety of factors, such as genetics and lifestyle choices. Depending on the type of arthritis, there may even be one or many causes. Some arthritic conditions are brought on by immune system faults that lead to the body attacking its joint tissues. This can be a hereditary problem.  

Other causes may include:

  • Abnormal Metabolism
  • Ageing
  • Infection
  • Injuries
  • Obesity
SYMPTOMS
Depending on the type of arthritis, the symptoms that manifest and how they manifest are very different. They may emerge gradually or immediately. The majority of the time, arthritis is a chronic condition. Thus, symptoms may fluctuate or linger over time. There are various forms of arthritis, each with different symptoms. However, joint pain is the primary symptom.

Other symptoms may include:
  • Bony Enlargements
  • Cracking Sounds
  • Decreased Range of Motion
  • Muscle Aches
  • Muscle Weakness
  • Pain
  • Redness
  • Stiffness
  • Swelling
TREATMENT
Treatment for arthritis focuses on minimising symptoms and enhancing joint performance. This can be accomplished while also protecting joints from future harm through conservative treatments such as prescription medication and lifestyle changes.
  • Diet changes
  • Exercise
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physical Therapy
SURGERY
Surgery is often the last resort when conservative treatments have failed to improve symptoms of arthritis. Surgery to treat damaged joints will depend on the type and severity of arthritis a patient has, as well as how effective prior therapies have been.

Surgical solutions for arthritis include:
  • Arthrodesis - The fusing of two or more bones within a joint is known as arthrodesis. This procedure is additionally called joint fusion.
  • Osteotomy - To straighten or realign your bones, a surgical technique called an osteotomy involves cutting bone.
  • Synovectomy - Destroying or surgically removing the membrane lining of a joint is referred to as synovectomy.
  • Total Joint Replacement - During a total joint replacement, diseased or arthritic joint elements are surgically removed and replaced with a prosthesis.

FAQ

How long does arthritis surgery take?
Dr du Plessis can take one to two hours to complete arthritis surgery depending on the joint and procedure involved.
Is surgery for arthritis painful?
You may experience post-operative pain, but Dr du Plessis will prescribe pain management medication.
How long does it take to recover from arthritis surgery?
Recovery can vary greatly depending on the preoperative muscle conditioning, joint involved and patient related factors.

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    PUBLICATIONS

    Assessment of the Reliability and Reproducibility of the Langenskiöld
    Classification in Blount’s Disease

    DU PLESSIS J, Firth GB, Robertson A. Assessment of the reliability and reproducibility of the Langenskiöld classification in Blount's disease. Journal of Pediatric orthopedics. Part B. 2019 Nov 12.

     

    The Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on orthopaedic trauma admissions in a central academic hospital in Johannesburg

    Foster M, Du Plessis J, Jansen van Vuuren M, Jingo M, Pietrzak JR. The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on orthopaedic trauma admissions in a central academic hospital in Johannesburg. SA Orthopaedic Journal. 2022;21(2):70-5.

    Short term results following two stage revision for periprosthetic joint infection

    DU PLESSIS, J et al. Short-term results following two-stage revision for periprosthetic joint infection. South African Orthopaedic Journal, [S.l.], v. 19, n. 2, p. 64-69, may 2020

     

    Comparison of visual estimations of distal radius fracture radiographic parameters between different levels of orthopaedic doctors.

    Naidoo V, Milner B, du Plessis J. SA Orthop J. 2025;24(1):26-31. http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2309-8309/2025/v24n1a4