Knee Osteoarthritis

What is knee arthritis (gonarthrosis)? What causes decreased fluid in the knee? What causes calcification of the knee?

The surface of all joints in our body is covered by a tough tissue called cartilage. Healthy cartilage provides a soft, slippery surface for joint movement and acts as a cushion between the bones.
When arthritis (osteoarthritis) occurs, the cartilage structure deteriorates. The deteriorated cartilage structure causes pain. Swelling in the joints and limitations in joint movements occur. Osteoarthritis progresses over time and the bones begin to break down and may cause the accumulation of bone fragments in the joint, called joint rats. Bone or cartilage fragments can crumble and accumulate around the joint. This causes an inflammatory process in the body. With the inflammatory process, harmful substances and enzymes accumulate in the joint, causing further damage to the cartilage. As the joint surface deteriorates, friction increases and the vicious cycle leads to more joint damage and more pain.

What are the symptoms of knee arthritis?

The symptoms of arthritis vary depending on the joints affected and the severity of the condition. However, the most common symptoms are pain and joint stiffness. Stiffness and pain in the joints are common, especially in the morning or after rest. The affected joints may swell, especially after prolonged activity. Symptoms tend to develop gradually over time rather than suddenly.

The most common symptoms are;

Joint stiffness and limitation of movement decreases with movement,
A clicking or crunching sound in joint movements,
Swelling around the joint,
Increasing pain after prolonged movement or towards the end of the day.

What causes arthritis?The incidence of osteoarthritis increases with advancing age. Women are more prone to arthritis than men. The risk of arthritis is higher in overweight individuals as the load on the joints increases. The risk of arthritis increases in individuals who have had joint injuries due to sports history or accidents. Calcification is more common in occupational groups that cause repetitive strain on the joints. Some people are genetically predisposed to arthritis due to familial predisposition. The risk of arthritis is higher in people with congenital bone or joint disease.

How is arthritis diagnosed?
During the examination, the affected joint is examined to check for tenderness, swelling or redness and range of motion in the joint. Imaging and laboratory tests are also performed. Direct radiography (X-rays) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are performed. Blood tests and joint fluid analysis may also be performed.

What are the treatment methods for arthritis?
What are the non-surgical treatment options for arthritis? There is no definitive treatment for arthritis that provides a complete cure, but there are options to reduce the symptoms. Intra-articular drug injections are also among the preferred treatment methods.

What to do to reduce the rate of calcification and prevent it in the long term;

Improving joint mobility and flexibility,
Losing weight in a healthy way,
Don’t exercise enough.

In the early stages of the disease, symptoms can be kept under control with medical treatment. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs can improve the quality of life of patients. Care should be taken in terms of stomach and kidney side effects in long-term use of these medications.

Intra-articular injection of a substance called hyaluronic acid can provide relief in the patient’s complaints for 6 months-1 year.

This treatment, called viscosupplemantation, can increase joint lubrication, improve movement and reduce pain. There are no serious side effects, except for a very low rate of allergic reaction.

Substances called Glucosamine sulfate and Chondroitin sulfate are the building blocks of articular cartilage. These substances, which are not yet recognized as medicines, are sold as nutritional supplements. In long-term use, these substances have been found to be effective in suppressing complaints. It may take up to 2 months for the effects to start, and caution should be exercised when used with blood thinners.

Intra-articular cortisone injections may reduce flare-ups in very swollen, painful knees. Repeated injections may accelerate joint wear in the long term.
Physical therapy methods may provide short-term relief, but this treatment does not change the natural course of the disease.

What are the surgeries for knee arthritis?

Arthroscopic Cleaning
It is preferred in the early stages of the disease. With the closed surgery method, 2 small incisions are made in front of the knee and a camera is inserted into the joint.

The problems displayed on the camera are treated;
The fringed cartilages inside the joint are cleaned,
free bodies are removed,
Procedures such as correction of meniscus tears are performed.

It provides relief of symptoms that lasts between 6 months and 5 years. It does not alter the natural course of the disease and is useless in severely damaged joints.

Joint Prosthesis
The creation of a new joint by covering the worn joint surfaces with metal-plastic or ceramic materials is called prosthesis application. It is most commonly applied in knee, hip and shoulder joints. It is the most effective treatment of arthrosis known today. After 2-3 months after prosthesis surgery, the pain disappears completely and the person returns to daily life activities without support. With today’s technology, prostheses have a lifespan of 15-20 years, after which they need to be replaced due to wear and loosening problems. For this reason, the ideal patient group is over the age of 65, but prostheses can be made at a much earlier age if necessary. After prosthesis, it is not appropriate to do sports with jumping and running and strenuous activities.

For more detailed information about prostheses, please see knee prosthesis and hip prosthesis.