Osteoarthritis Health Center
Arthritis: Joint Fusion Surgery (Arthrodesis) to Treat Arthritis
Bone or joint fusion surgery, called arthrodesis, is performed to relieve pain in the hips, ankles, wrists, fingers, thumbs, or spine.
In arthrodesis, two bones on each end of a joint are fused, eliminating the joint itself.
Who Qualifies for Arthrodesis?
Arthrodesis is used in patients whose joints have eroded or have been destroyed by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other forms of arthritis.
Joint fusion of the spine is used as a treatment for severe pain caused by a variety of back problems such as a herniated disc or a tumor.
How Is Arthrodesis Performed?
There are different ways to perform arthrodesis surgery:
- Bone can be taken from another part of the body or from a bone bank and placed in between the two bones being fused to stimulate the fusion. This is called a bone graft.
- Implants of metal plates, screws, or wires can be used to close the joint and position the bones next to each other. Over time, the body heals the bones to become one. Occasionally, a bone graft is needed to aid healing.
What Are the Benefits of Arthrodesis?
While a fused joint loses flexibility, it can bear weight better, is more stable and is no longer painful.
What Are the Risks of Arthrodesis?
The risks associated with joint fusion vary depending upon the person's age, overall health status, and the type of procedure that is being performed. Risks include:
- Pain at the site of bone fusion
- Failure of the fusion and/or breakage of metal implants
- Nerve injury
- Infection
Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland
Clinic Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases.
WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic![]()
Important Safety Information
Cymbalta® (duloxetine HCl) is approved for the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorder, and for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.
What should I talk about with my healthcare provider?
Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, restlessness, or extreme hyperactivity. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have thoughts of suicide or if any of these symptoms are severe or occur suddenly. Be especially observant within the first few months of antidepressant treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.
You should also know that:
- Suicide is a known risk of depression and some other psychiatric disorders.
- Antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts or behaviors in some children, adolescents, and young adults especially within the first few months of treatment or when changing the dose. No increased risk has been shown for adults over age 24, and risk decreased for those over age 65.
- All patients starting therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for new or worsening depression symptoms, suicidal thoughts or behavior, or unusual changes in behavior.
- Cymbalta® is not approved for use in patients under age 18.
Who should NOT take Cymbalta?
You should not take Cymbalta if:
- You have recently taken a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
- You have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma (an eye disease)
- You are taking Mellaril® (thioridazine)
What other important information should I discuss with my healthcare provider?
Before starting Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:
- about all of your medical conditions, including kidney problems, glaucoma, or diabetes
- about your alcohol use
- if you are taking nonprescription or prescription medicines, including those for migraine, to address a possible life threatening condition
- if you are taking NSAID pain relievers, aspirin, or blood thinners. Use with Cymbalta may increase bleeding risk
- if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant during therapy, or are breastfeeding an infant
While taking Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:
- if you have itching, right upper belly pain, dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, or unexplained flu-like symptoms, which may be signs of liver problems. Severe liver problems, sometimes fatal, have been reported
- if you have high fever, confusion, and stiff muscles to address a possible life-threatening condition
- before stopping Cymbalta or changing your dose
- if you experience dizziness or fainting upon standing, especially when first starting Cymbalta or when increasing the dose. Your healthcare provider may periodically check your blood pressure while you are taking Cymbalta
If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider before taking Cymbalta.
What are the possible side effects of Cymbalta?
The most common side effect of Cymbalta was nausea. For most people who had it, the nausea was mild to moderate. Other common side effects included dry mouth, sleepiness, constipation, decreased appetite, and, increased sweating. This is not a complete list of side effects.


