Joint Calcifications And Prosthetic Surgeries (Artroplasty)

The medical term of joint calcifications that are common in our society is ‘arthrosis’ or ‘osteoarthritis’. Joints are structures that connect bones. We move smoothly thanks to the articular cartilage that covers the bones. Wear and tear on the joints over time can lead to calcifications.
Although it is called “calcification” among the people, in fact, in arthrosis, a calcification does not occur in the joints as it is known. Due to the wear and tear of the cartilage tissues, shedding occurs and bone emerges.
Arthrosis is most common in the knee joint. The knee area is followed by the hip, spine and fingers. In trauma and injuries, arthrosis may also occur in the wrist, elbow and shoulder.

WHAT CAUSES ARTROS?

Individuals aged 65 and over are in the risk group for arthrosis. Arthrosis is detected in one out of every three people in this age group. The incidence of arthrosis in women is twice that of men.
Body weight is also among the causes of arthrosis. Arthrosis may occur in obesity and overweight individuals, especially due to excessive load on the knees and hips.
One of the most common problems experienced by athletes is joint calcification. There is a risk of arthrosis due to excessive use of the joints, especially in sports branches such as football, tennis and athletics professionally.
Regardless of all these reasons, all kinds of diseases and injuries that can damage the articular cartilage in some way can also lead to arthrosis.
There are different treatment methods for joint calcifications. Drug therapy, physical therapy methods, intra-articular injection can be applied to relieve pain and inflammation caused by calcification. For some patients, surgery is the only option.

WHAT IS ARTROPLASTY (JOINT PROSTHESIS)?

The method used in the diagnosis and treatment of all joint-related disorders is called arthroscopy.
In short, arthroscopy is the process of visualizing the inside of the joint with the help of optics and cameras. The joint is accessed through incisions smaller than 1 cm. With the help of special tools, the condition of the joint can be viewed and the disease can be diagnosed and surgical intervention can be performed.
In the case of advanced calcification in the hip and knee joint of the patient, the patient’s movements begin to be restricted and he/she begins to experience severe pain. At this stage, where the quality of life is adversely affected, the patient begins to be unable to walk long distances, to bend down or to squat down. In such a case, arthroplasty is applied. Arthroplasty is the name given to orthopedic surgery in which the joint surface is reshaped. Another name for arthroplasty is joint replacement surgery.
Today, depending on the progress in medicine and technology, joint prostheses are also highly developed compared to the past. Now, there are joint prostheses made of comfortable, developed and reinforced metal, ceramic and plastic parts that allow painless and comfortable movement.
Joint prosthesis is a method most commonly used to treat joint calcification. However, this method is also used in rheumatic diseases, fractures, dislocations, joint inflammations and damages.
Joint replacement surgery can be applied to patients of all ages. However, since prostheses have a certain lifespan, surgeries performed at an early age may require repetition after a certain period of time. For this reason, it is generally applied to patients aged 60 and over so that a second or even a third surgery is not needed.
State-of-the-art joint prostheses produced with advanced technology can now last up to 20-25 years.