Artroplastia como indicación en degeneración articular en personas mayores. ¿Solución o desventaja?

Abstract

Osteoarthritis, also known as osteoarthritis, is a degenerative joint disease that affects both the articular cartilage and other structures within the joint. Clinically, osteoarthritis manifests with joint pain, stiffness, functional limitations, and, in many cases, deformity. Diagnosis is based on clinical history and physical examination. Treatment options include non-pharmacological measures, and when these strategies fail to control symptoms or maintain acceptable function, especially in heavily loaded joints such as the knee or hip, arthroplasty (joint replacement) is considered as a surgical option. Total arthroplasty is considered when symptoms (pain, disability) persist despite optimal conservative treatment. It offers greater benefit in the older adult population due to reduced joint use and less need for replacement. Despite being a viable option, it has disadvantages such as surgical risk and potential infections, and a percentage of patients are dissatisfied with the results. In this study, a literature review was conducted using various search engines such as PubMed, SciencieDirect, and Dialnet, using keywords such as "osteoarthritis," "arthroplasty," and "joint degeneration." The inclusion criteria were articles published no more than 10 years ago; available in English, Spanish, or Portuguese; and covering the topic. Arthroplasty is one of the last lines of treatment for advanced cases, offering significant benefits if performed at the right time and in well-selected patients, but with risks that must be carefully assessed, especially in younger populations.