What is Knee Replacement?
Our knees are vital joints that carry the body’s weight and allow us to perform daily movements—such as bending, standing up, and running—without pain. However, when problems occur in the knee joint, these movements can become painful. If healthy knee function cannot be restored through non-surgical treatments, knee replacement remains the only solution. In knee replacement surgery, the damaged knee joint is replaced with an artificial implant that takes over all the functions of the joint.
Anatomy of the Knee Joint
The knee joint connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). In a healthy knee, movement occurs smoothly. This is due to the slippery cartilage tissue covering the joint surfaces and the support of strong surrounding muscles.
Knee Replacement Surgery
Knee replacement surgery is a procedure in which an artificial prosthesis is implanted to restore movement and eliminate pain when the natural joint has lost its function. Damaged bone and cartilage are removed and replaced with the prosthesis. This allows the patient to walk and move without pain in daily life.
Joint Diseases Requiring Knee Replacement
As cartilage damage in the knee joint progresses, the cartilage becomes thinner, cracks, and wears down. Since cartilage has a limited ability to repair itself, the damage worsens over time. At first, stiffness in the knee may be noticed; however, when the bones begin to rub against each other, pain develops.
-
Osteoarthritis: The most common joint disease, caused by the breakdown, thinning, and wearing away of cartilage.
-
Injuries: Damage or wear of the cartilage tissue accelerates the progression of the disease.
-
Arthritis: Inflammation and swelling in the cartilage lead to stiffness and painful movement of the joint.
Knee problems are seen about twice as often in women compared to men, and they are most common in individuals over the age of 50.
Purpose of Knee Replacement
The main purpose of knee replacement is to provide the patient with a pain-free and mobile joint, thereby improving overall quality of life.
Research shows that anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are more common in female athletes compared to males. Although the exact reason is not fully understood, factors such as muscle strength, ligament laxity, hormonal influences (especially estrogen), and anatomical differences in the knee may play a role.
What Happens if an ACL Injury is Not Treated?
If left untreated, ACL injuries can gradually compromise the stability of the knee joint and damage the cartilage. Over time, this may lead to permanent problems such as knee osteoarthritis. In addition, for individuals engaged in sports, the risk of repeated strain and recurrent injuries significantly increases.
Treatment Methods
The treatment plan depends on the patient’s age, lifestyle, physical expectations, and the severity of the injury:
-
Surgical Method: Usually preferred for athletes or active individuals to restore stability.
-
Non-Surgical Methods: May be considered for patients who do not engage in sports or require high levels of physical activity in daily life.
Non-Surgical Treatment Methods
-
Rest: Avoiding weight-bearing on the knee helps reduce both swelling and pain.
-
Ice Application: Can be applied several times a day for 20–25 minutes each time.
-
Bandaging: An elastic bandage around the knee can provide additional support.
-
Elevation: Keeping the leg elevated above heart level helps reduce swelling.
With proper evaluation, an accurate treatment plan, and a disciplined rehabilitation process, successful outcomes can be achieved in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ata Can provides his patients with the most up-to-date medical approaches in ACL surgery and postoperative care.
Symptoms:
Persistent or intermittent knee pain, especially during movement, bending, standing up, or walking.
Limited range of motion in the knee joint, with stiffness and difficulty straightening the knee, particularly in the mornings or after sitting for long periods.
A sudden sensation of the knee catching or locking, causing temporary restriction of movement.
Clicking, cracking, or grating sounds when moving the knee.
Visible deformity or misalignment of the knee.
Difficulty walking or limping due to knee pain and restricted mobility.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Uygun cerrahi teknikleri ve modern protez uygulamaları sayesinde hastaya takılan protez 15- 20 yıla kadar dayanmaktadır. Fakat protezin gevşemesi durumunda hastaya yeni bir protez ameliyatı planlanır ve gevşeyen protez yerini yeni proteze bırakır. Yeni takılan protez ilk takılan protez kadar uzun ömürlü olmayabilir.
- Protezi oluşturan metal ve plastik alaşımların, hareketi esnasında gerçekleşen sürtünme nedeniyle zamanla aşınma meydana gelir. Aşınma oluşmasıyla ortaya çıka gözle görülmeyecek kadar küçük parçalar nedeniyle protez parçalarının tutunduğu kemikten ayrılmasına protez gevşemesi denir.
- Hastanın ameliyattan sonra ağrısı olursa kas güçsüzlüğü, enfeksiyon veya protez dengesizliği gibi durumlar düşünülür. Hastanın diz ağrıları ameliyattan çok sonra başladıysa protez aşınması, geç enfeksiyon ya ada stres kırığı gibi sorunlardan şüphe edilir.
- Bu riskler her ameliyatta olduğu gibi anesteziye bağlı risklerdir. Bunun dışında çok düşük ihtimal operasyon sırasında damar ve sinir yaralanmaları olabilir.
- Genellikle 65 yaş üstü herkese uygulanabilmektedir. Fakat romatizmal bir rahatsızlığa bağlı olarak veya genç yaştaki bireylerde çok ciddi bir diz problemi varsa protez uygulanabilir.
Contact US
Fill out the form on the side to receive free information about your orthopedic condition, and we’ll get back to you quickly.
