What is Knee Calcification?

What is Knee Calcification?

The knee joint is a large joint made up of the thigh (femur), tibia bones and the anterior kneecap (patella). It is prone to wear because it carries the entire body weight. The faces of the mentioned bones facing each other are covered with cartilage. Old age, overweight, rheumatic diseases, previous traumas (such as falls, traffic accidents), previous knee joint infections cause cartilage wear and loss, leading to the development of calcification (gonarthrosis). Total knee replacement is the creation of a painless artificial joint by covering the worn joint surfaces with special materials. 

Knee Calcification Surgery
An anesthetic examination is performed approximately 1 week before the planned operation date for the patient, for whom alternative treatment methods have been tried but no results have been obtained, and knee replacement surgery has been decided. According to the results of blood tests and other tests, internal medicine and cardiology consultations are carried out if necessary. The operation can be performed using general anesthesia or numbing from the waist down (spinal, epidural anesthesia). The operation time is approximately 1.5 hours. The next day, the patient is walked by standing up with the help of crutches or a walker. The hospital stay is about 4-5 days.

How is Knee Calcification (gonarthrosis) Diagnosed?
During the examination, the location and severity of the pain and the range of knee joint movements are important in terms of diagnosis. The most important diagnostic method is anteroposterior and lateral x-rays taken while the patient is standing. The degree of narrowing of the inner side of the joint is very important in the selection of treatment, especially in anterior-posterior films. MRI is not important in the diagnosis of calcification.

After Knee Calcification Surgery:
When the patient goes home, he/she is usually able to go to the toilet on his/her own and perform personal care. It is normal to feel pain enough to be relieved with simple painkillers during movements. Blood thinners are used for a while. The surgery area is not wetted for the first 15 days. After the 15th day, it is allowed to take a bath. By doing knee exercises, the range of motion of the joint is increased and the leg muscles are strengthened. After an average of 4-6 weeks, the patient can return to his/her normal life.