The medical name for joint disorders, popularly known as calcification and caused by the deterioration of cartilage structures, is osteoarthritis or arthrosis. One of the joints where calcification, which is a chronic disease, is most common is the knee.
Knee calcification, also known as gonarthrosis, is a disease that occurs as a result of the weakening and wear of the cartilages in the knee.
Advanced age and excess weight cause knee calcification. It is among the most common causes. The incidence of knee arthritis increases after the age of 65. Additionally, knee calcification occurs in obese patients due to excessive load on the joint.
According to statistics, knee calcification is more common in women than men. Genetic predisposition and some professions are also among the risk factors for arthritis.
SYMPTOMS OF KNEE CALCIFICATION
The most well-known symptom of arthritis in the knee is pain. The pain gets worse as the knee is moved. Resting the knee helps relieve the pain.
People with knee arthritis have difficulty going up and down stairs. Again, if patients sit for a long time, their pain increases.
Another factor that increases the severity of pain is the increase in calcification, that is, the degeneration of the cartilage.
Other symptoms of knee calcification are listed as follows. :
- Stiffness and/or locking in the knee,
- Deformities,
- Noise coming from the knee joint,
- Looseness in the knee .
IS IT POSSIBLE TO PREVENT KNEE CALCIFICATION?
There are certain factors that can be taken into consideration to protect against knee arthritis.
The first of these is weight control. Obesity is one of the most important risk factors for knee arthritis. Therefore, individuals paying attention to their diet and maintaining their ideal weight can prevent knee arthritis in the future.
Another cause of arthritis is osteoporosis. Therefore, the risk of knee arthritis can be reduced by protecting against osteoporosis. It is possible to prevent osteoporosis by eating right and adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Another thing that can be taken against knee osteoarthritis. The precaution is to do sports that do not put stress on the joints. As it is known, sports that require heavy physical effort such as football, crossfit, weight lifting, basketball and tennis can cause excessive load on the knees, which leads to various injuries from meniscus tears to anterior cruciate ligament ruptures. When these injuries are not treated properly, they cause knee arthritis.
Therefore, if you are not a professional athlete, you can protect yourself from knee arthritis by choosing safer sports such as swimming, walking, pilates.
DIAGNOSIS. AND TREATMENT METHODS
The diagnosis of knee arthritis (gonarthrosis) is made by radiographs as well as a physical examination by the doctor. The treatment method is determined according to the age of the patient and the degree of calcification in the knee.
Knee calcification is divided into 4 degrees. In cases diagnosed in the first two degrees, non-surgical methods are preferred. Applications such as medication, intra-articular injection methods, physical therapy programs, walking aids, and spa treatment help reduce complaints in knee arthritis. In addition, a diet is recommended for the patient to slow down the progression of the disease.
For patients with grade 3 and 4 knee calcification, the treatment option is surgery. The most common surgical treatment method is knee arthroplasty, that is, knee replacement surgery. With this method, the damaged parts of the knee joint are removed and replaced with a prosthesis.
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