What is a Knee Prosthesis?

hat is a Knee Prosthesis?

A knee replacement is the removal of worn parts of the cartilage and part of the bone underneath. It is the provision of the normal axis of the knee joint. And it is the entire process of inserting various metals into the joint.  The aim of Knee Prosthesis surgeries is to ensure that the patient has a painless and mobile joint and that the quality of daily life is at the highest level.

Knee Prosthesis is the preferred treatment method in knee calcifications that develop as a result of severe deterioration of the knee joint cartilage. Knee Prosthesis mimic knee tasks, the main part of the prosthesis is made of titanium or cobalt-chromium metal alloy, the spacer is polyethylene, a kind of reinforced plastic.

In parallel with today’s technological developments, improvements have been made in the design and the materials used, and the treatment results have become more successful..

Who Is Knee Prosthesis Applied?

Total Knee Prosthesis is applied to patients who have pain and deformity in their knees, whose knee pain does not go away despite the use of rest, drugs and physical therapy methods, whose activities of daily living such as walking and climbing stairs are severely restricted, and who have severe damage to the articular cartilage on the radiograph.

Before deciding on surgery, methods such as drug therapy, injection and physical therapy exercises should be tried. Knee Prosthesis is performed in cases such as pain when climbing stairs or when walking more than 300 meters, severe damage to the joint area as a result of radiography, and advanced and progressive calcification.

What are the Causes of Knee Joint Deterioration?

• Knee problems caused by genetic reasons.
• Obesity and overweight.
• Rheumatic diseases.
• Received physical injuries or frequently recurrent minor trauma.

Treatment Stages

• First of all, the patient to whom knee prosthesis will be applied must have applied non-prosthetic treatment options (medication, physical therapy, etc.). And must be at a stage where they will not benefit.
• Knee damage is easily seen on X-rays. After the operation decision, anesthesia preparation is made.
• Before the operation, it should be carefully investigated whether there is a wound or any infection in the body. If there is, it is very important to treat it.
• The operation can be performed as local anesthesia or general anesthesia.

What is the Life of the Prosthesis?

If it is done by an experienced surgeon, the life of the prosthesis is around 20 years. When the prosthesis expires, it starts to cause pain and the complaints progress over time. This may be due to loosening of the prosthesis and wear of the plastic-like material in between. A secondary replacement surgery may be required for loose and worn prostheses for various reasons.