When severe deterioration occurs in the knee joint cartilage, calcification occurs in the knee. In this case, the preferred treatment method is “knee replacement”. In this surgery, the inner parts of the disrupted joint surfaces are properly removed and artificial surfaces called prostheses are placed in their places. These prostheses can perform directory tasks.Prosthesis surgery is not performed to every patient who has knee problems. Other treatment methods should be tried before. After the methods such as drug therapy, injection, physical therapy exercises are tried, the patient’s condition should be re-evaluated, it should be asked whether it is difficult to walk and whether pain prevents sleeping and the prosthesis surgery should be decided accordingly. If the patient cannot walk about 300 meters without pain, it means he needs a prosthesis. Otherwise, pain medications that should be used continuously will damage their kidneys and liver over time. It may be appropriate to wear a knee prosthesis to ensure that the patient can walk without pain and prevent adherence to the drug.
Which Patients Total Knee Replacement Can Be Applied to?
Healthy cartilage allows the joints to move in a protected manner. If the cartilage has started to hurt due to a disease or injury, the tissues around the joint become inflamed and cause pain. The cartilage that erodes over time causes bones to touch each other and make more pain. In this case, the solution is to make a knee replacement. It is an operation generally performed on middle-aged patients. When the prosthesis is applied at the age of 55 and after, it may be possible to use it for a lifetime. However, if it is done at a younger age, prosthesis replacement surgery may be required, as the prosthesis will wear out over time.
How to make a total knee replacement?
After appropriate anesthesia, the knee joint is reached through an incision made in front of the knee. Worn cartilage tissue on the contacting faces of the three bones (Thigh-Kaval-Knee cap bones) that form the joint are cut together with a thin layer of bone, then the selected prosthetic pieces are attached to the prepared bone surfaces. Thus, these surfaces become covered. The surgery takes 1-2 hours. The next day, knee movements are made and the patient is helped to stand up. When he becomes comfortable walking in the room and corridor, he is discharged from the hospital. Duration of discharge varies from patient to patient. In an average of 3-5 days, the patient is able to walk comfortably in the room and corridor.
