The First Onset of Pain in Cartilage Damage in the Knee Should Not Be Overlooked

Stating that they can save the patient's joint with correction surgeries (osteotomy) that can be applied in the early period in joint disorders that may occur for different reasons such as structural or trauma in the knee joint, Yeditepe University Hospitals Orthopedics and Traumatology specialist Prof. Dr. Hasan Bombacı said, "Thanks to these surgeries, we can postpone the prosthesis surgery that the patient may need soon for more than 10 years, thus saving the patient’s time."  

Orthopedics and Traumatology Specialist Prof. Dr. Bombacı underlined that the correction surgeries are rescue surgeries that are much more important, especially for young patients with cartilage damage, but pointed out that patients should not miss the period when the pain first starts. 

Reminding that prosthesis surgeries are extremely useful for patients in the early postoperative period, but they are irreversible surgeries, Prof. Dr. Hasan Bombacı said, "It is very important for patients to know that surgical treatment that can postpone these surgeries is possible if diagnosed early." 

Opportunity for the Patient to Move with Their Own Bone, Their Own Joint!

Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology specialist Prof. Dr. Hasan Bombacı reminded us that although prosthesis surgeries are a treatment method that gives very good results in the hip and knee, they have a certain lifespan and explained that with timely correction surgeries, the patient is given the opportunity to move with their own bone, their own joint. Prof. Dr. Bombacı continued his words as follows: "Prosthesis is an irreversible surgery in which we change the joint in severe joint disorders. Therefore, it is not the treatment method we prefer for young patients. We perform bone-correcting surgeries to delay prosthesis, especially in cases of cartilage damage detected early or in cases where the kneecap is damaged and the alignment is not good. The main purpose of these is to transfer the load from the damaged part of the knee to the remaining intact part of the knee." 

"Pain is the Primary Complaint of Patients Undergoing Correction Surgeries" 

Stating that early diagnosis is very important for the applicability of correction surgeries, Prof. Dr. Hasan Bombacı said, "Because as time passes, the damage to the knee grows and the rate of benefit from surgery decreases."  Stating that the first complaint experienced by these patients is pain, Prof. Dr. Hasan Bombacı continued his words as follows; "Pain usually occurs after heavy activities and long walks. As cartilage damage or joint deterioration progresses, even light activities cause pain. Therefore, the first symptom that causes the patient to need this surgery is pain. Early detection of the disease is the most important point." 

"Deformities in the Kneecap Bone Progress More Insidiously" 

Stating that damage to the joints can occur for different reasons, Prof. Dr. Bombacı said: "Among these reasons, we can show the patient's deformities from childhood or deformities that occur in the kneecap bone. Deformities in the kneecap bone progress more insidiously and manifest themselves with anterior knee pain in middle age. Sometimes, as a result of blows to the knee, damage occurs, mostly on the inside of the knee. These cause damage in that area even if there is no biomechanical malalignment in the leg."

"Do Not Wait to Feel Pain in Structurally Caused Disorders"

Pointing out that one should not wait for the pain to perform these surgeries, especially in cases of malalignment due to structural reasons, Prof. Dr. Bombacı said, "Because in these cases, the deformity is obvious and it is almost certain that such a problem will arise in the future. Therefore, if the necessary intervention is performed early in cases of alignment disorders exceeding certain angles, the possibility of creating lifelong well-being is high."

"The Patient Is Likely To Return to Their Daily Life After The Surgery" 

Underlining that prosthesis is a shortcut, Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology specialist Prof. Dr. Bombacı said, "I recommend that patients consult a doctor when their complaints start early and be aware of these surgery options. If the patient has not developed cartilage damage, lifelong well-being can be achieved, but in patients who come late and have advanced cartilage damage, the well-being will be much shorter and there may be no chance of these surgeries. After these surgeries, especially when early diagnosis and treatment are made, the patient has a very high chance of returning to their old activities. But if the damage is high and the patient arrives late, it is difficult to achieve the same success." 

What Should Patients Do? 

Prof. Dr. Hasan Bombacı made the following recommendations for patients who may undergo correction surgery: "There are mainly 2 groups of patients for whom correction surgeries are performed; the first group consists of patients who have developed malalignment in the legs due to various reasons (existing from early in life or later on due to reasons such as knee arthrosis), and the second group consists of people who have suffered knee damage as a result of trauma. I recommend that those with significant structural disorders consult a doctor without neglect, even if they do not have significant complaints. Because an operation to be performed in this period may create lifelong well-being in the patient and prevent much damage to the joints. In the second group; if the pain of the patients is getting worse and the periods of well-being in between are getting shorter and shorter, it is appropriate to consult a doctor without delay. Because such bone-correcting surgeries can save the patient's joint and postpone the prosthesis surgery for many years."