Which procedure eliminates motion in a joint to relieve arthritis pain?

• A. Arthrodesis
• B. Arthroplasty
• C. Dorsiflexion
• D. Arthroscopy

Answer: (D)

Eliminating motion in a joint to relieve arthritis pain is achieved by fusing the joint surfaces, a process called arthrodesis. By turning the joint into a single, immobile bone segment, arthrodesis stops the grinding and movement that irritate arthritic surfaces, providing dependable pain relief and stability. The trade-off is loss of motion in that joint, which is acceptable when sustained pain relief and function are more important than preserving movement. In contrast, arthroplasty replaces the joint to restore or preserve motion, dorsiflexion refers to a movement (not a procedure), and arthroscopy is a minimally invasive look inside the joint that may treat problems without immobilizing the joint.