What does arthrodesis mean?
Arthrodesis is a surgical procedure in which the bones forming a joint are permanently fused together, eliminating motion at that joint. Orthopedic surgeons perform it when a joint has been so severely damaged by arthritis, injury, infection, or deformity that movement causes disabling pain or instability; by fixing the bones in a functional position, the operation trades flexibility for stability and relief. Common sites include the ankle, spine, foot, wrist, and fingers, and the procedure is often described by location — as in ankle or spinal arthrodesis. The word comes from Greek roots meaning 'joint' and 'binding', a fitting name since the surgery literally binds the joint shut. Though technical in register, arthrodesis appears regularly in health reporting and medical literature, and it contrasts with arthroplasty, which aims to preserve rather than abolish joint movement.
nounThe surgical fusion of a joint, performed to immobilize bones that form it — typically to relieve pain or restore stability in a joint damaged by arthritis, injury, or deformity.
- A surgical operation that permanently fuses the bones of a joint, eliminating motion at that joint, usually to treat severe arthritis, instability, deformity, or chronic pain.
"After years of failed conservative treatment for her ankle arthritis, she finally opted for arthrodesis."
"The orthopedic surgeon recommended ankle arthrodesis after cartilage loss left the joint painfully arthritic."
"Spinal arthrodesis, commonly called spinal fusion, is one of the most frequently performed procedures for unstable vertebrae."
The Latin-style plural follows the Greek '-is' → '-es' pattern, as with 'crises'. It appears mainly in medical literature discussing multiple cases or multiple joints operated on.
"The registry recorded hundreds of ankle arthrodeses over the decade."
Surgeons sometimes deliberately fuse a joint solid — trading all movement for a pain-free, stable limb.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of arthrodesis
Arthrodesis derives from Greek: 'arthron', meaning joint, combined with 'dēsis', meaning binding or tying together. The term entered English medical vocabulary in the nineteenth century as orthopedic surgery developed formal terminology for operative techniques. It shares the 'arthro-' root with words such as arthritis, arthropod, and arthroscopy, all pointing back to the ancient Greek word for joint.
Related word forms
How arthrodesis is actually used
Strictly medical and technical in register; lay readers are more likely to encounter 'joint fusion' or 'spinal fusion'. In everyday clinical speech, surgeons usually name the specific joint affected, as in 'triple arthrodesis' of the foot. The plural 'arthrodeses' is rare outside medical writing.
Easily confused with arthrodesis
Arthrodesis permanently fuses a joint to eliminate its movement, whereas arthroplasty reconstructs or replaces a joint to preserve or restore movement.
An arthrotomy is simply a surgical incision into a joint, while arthrodesis is the deliberate bony fusion of that joint.