SURGERY TO RELIEVE ARTHRITIC PAINS
We have just explained that surgical operations on organs or glands cannot solve the question of arthritis. But can a doctor “operate” on actual arthritic bones and relieve your pain? The answer is “Yes.”
After deformity has set in, there are a number of orthopaedic operations which are helpful. More surgery will undoubtedly be devised in the future. Meanwhile, some of the operations now being used successfully for deformed arthritics only are known as synovectomy, arthrodesis, arthroplasty, etc.
Operations can be performed to remove any flesh-like tabs clinging to joint linings. These are frequently found in osteo-arthritis and sometimes they impede joint mobility. Surgery can also cut away some bone-spurs or extraneous deposits of cartilage or bone called “joint mice.”
But before allowing your arthritis to reach the stage where surgical help is needed, wouldn’t it be far better to practise the dietary and oil regime in this book? Prevent deformity by sane eating habits, and escape the surgeon’s knife.
If a knee swells up to twice its normal size, and the trouble is a diseased lining, it is true that the joint membrane can be removed surgically. Joint linings will then regenerate, and your body will build new ones. At that time you may decide to straighten out your diet, to protect your “second set” of linings. Why not eat correctly now? You’ll save yourself a trip to the surgeon and a long convalescence.
One type of deformity is “fusion.” When a joint becomes fused, it is said to be ankylosed. An ankylosed joint is frequently free from pain. The operation known as arthrodesis is primarily designed to give the fused joint some degree of service … at least enable it to bear some weight. An arthoplasty operation will improve ball and socket joint mobility, by inserting a metal cup in your joint. Again, we say, however, stop your arthritic advancement by diet, before you need to undergo these major measures.
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