What is Knee Arthritis (Gonarthrosis)?

Knee cartilage is the tissue that provides movement by creating a flat surface in the knee joint. The self-healing property of the damage to the cartilage tissue is poor. The deterioration and weakening of the structure of the cartilage in the knee for various reasons are called arthritis (gonarthrosis).

What are the Symptoms of Knee Arthritis?

Especially in patients over 50 years of age, complaints such as pain in the knee, limitation of movement, deformity in the knees (O-shaped leg), noise from the knee during movement, and increased pain when going up and down the stairs can be seen.

Causes of Knee Arthritis

• Aging
• Rheumatoid disorders
• Infection
• Inflammatory diseases (lupus, gout, etc.)
• Hemophilia

Methods of Treatment in Knee Arthritis

The treatment methods vary according to the age of the patient, their expectation, the severity of their complaints, and the cause and degree of arthritis. If the age of the patient is young and the complaints of early-stage arthritis are not advanced, non-surgical treatment methods are recommended first. If the patient is overweight, it is recommended to lose weight. They are asked to stay away from heavy work and not to go up or down stairs or slopes. Exercise treatments are especially recommended to strengthen the thigh muscles. The use of painkillers (NSAIDs), ice treatment applications, and intra-knee medication applications (hyaluronic acid, PRP, stem cell) are also recommended methods.

How is Knee Arthritis Diagnosed?

In the physical examination of the patient, the diagnosis is made with the presence of sensitivity in the knee, narrowing due to the loss of cartilage in the knee joint space on the radiographs, deterioration in the joint surface, and osteophytes (bone spikes).

Methods of Surgical Treatment in Knee Arthritis

• Arthroscopy

It is a method aimed at treating the knee joint without completely opening it, with the help of two small holes, by determining the pathology in the knee. When applied in the treatment of arthritis, it has been shown in literature studies that it provides a temporary improvement in the patient, after which complaints may recur.

• High Tibial Osteotomy

It is a treatment method applied for arthritis that holds the inner face of the knee joint in patients under 65 years of age. This treatment aims to reduce the pressure on the inner part of the knee by taking the knee load plane to the outside a little, thereby slowing down the progression of arthritis. After the treatment, the patient becomes able to put a load on the knee after the bone union.

• Unicondylar Knee Prosthesis

It is a treatment method applied especially in the wear of the cartilage holding the inner face of the knee joint. The goal of this treatment is to replace only the damaged cartilage on the inside of the knee joint with an implant to create a painless and mobile knee joint. After the surgery, the patient can start to move the next day and put a load on the knee.