arthrodesis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialized medical term)Formal, Technical, Medical
Quick answer
What does “arthrodesis” mean?
A surgical procedure that intentionally fuses two or more bones in a joint, eliminating movement at that joint.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surgical procedure that intentionally fuses two or more bones in a joint, eliminating movement at that joint.
Primarily used in orthopedic surgery and rheumatology to describe the operative stabilization of a joint, often performed to relieve pain from arthritis, correct deformity, or provide stability when joint replacement is not viable.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Purely technical/surgical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both medical communities.
Grammar
How to Use “arthrodesis” in a Sentence
patient underwent arthrodesis of [joint]surgeon performed arthrodesis on [joint]arthrodesis was indicated for [condition]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “arthrodesis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The surgeon will arthrodese the subtalar joint to correct the deformity.
- The decision was made to arthrodese the wrist.
American English
- The surgeon opted to arthrodese the joint to alleviate the chronic pain.
- They may arthrodese the spine at several levels.
adjective
British English
- The arthrodesis procedure was scheduled for the following week.
- He reviewed the arthrodesis technique in the manual.
American English
- The patient consented to the arthrodesis surgery.
- She studied the arthrodesis outcomes in the clinical trial.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Exclusively in medical, biological, or biomedical engineering texts and research.
Everyday
Extremely rare; only used when discussing specific surgical history/treatment.
Technical
Core term in orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, and related medical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “arthrodesis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “arthrodesis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “arthrodesis”
- Mispronouncing as 'arthro-desis' (with a long 'e').
- Using it to refer to natural bone fusion (e.g., in fractures).
- Confusing it with 'arthroscopy' (joint examination).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a standard, well-established procedure in orthopaedic surgery, but it is not as common as joint replacements like knee or hip arthroplasty. It is typically reserved for specific joints (e.g., ankle, wrist, spine) or when replacement is not suitable.
The permanent loss of movement in the fused joint. This can alter biomechanics and place increased stress on adjacent joints, potentially leading to future problems in those areas.
No, it is a permanent fusion. Reversal is not possible; if necessary, a highly complex surgery to take down the fusion and attempt a replacement might be considered, but it is very difficult and rare.
While most frequently used in human orthopaedics, the term is also applicable in veterinary surgery for similar procedures on animals.
A surgical procedure that intentionally fuses two or more bones in a joint, eliminating movement at that joint.
Arthrodesis is usually formal, technical, medical in register.
Arthrodesis: in British English it is pronounced /ɑːˈθrɒdɪsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɑːrˈθrɑːdəsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ARTHRO-' (joint) + '-DESIS' (binding/fastening) = binding a joint fast.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE JOINT IS A HINGE BEING PERMANENTLY WELDED SHUT.
Practice
Quiz
In which scenario is 'arthrodesis' LEAST likely to be discussed?