Twenty-nine patients (female/male: 24/5) with grade 4 osteoarthritis were included in the TKA group (study group) and 22 patients (female/male:13/9) with <grade 4 osteoarthritis were included in the control group. Systemic venous blood samples of the patients were taken to evaluate the cytokine level (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1). The Visual Analogue Scale was used to assess pain intensity, and the WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) score was used to evaluate the functional status. Valgity and malaligment measurements were calculated using antero-posterior X ray Digital goniometer was used to evaluate the knee joint position sense (at 35, 55 and 70 degrees knee flexion angles). Measurements were taken once from patients in the control group, and twice in pre-op and post-op sixth weeks from study group.
Knee osteoarthritis is a common disease that causes pain and loss of function. Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is a frequently used surgical method in the treatment of severe knee osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TKA on IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β cytokine levels, pain intensity at rest and walking, knee joint valgity angle,malaligment, functional status and knee joint position sense.