The effects of proprioceptive exercise training on balance, gait, foot functions and quality of life in physiotherapy of metatarsal fractures

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of conventional physiotherapy (CP) program and proprioceptive exercise (PE) training which was added to the conventional physiotherapy in the patients with metatarsal fracture whose orthopedic treatment were completed conservatively to pain, range of motion, balance, gait, foot functions and quality of life. Twelve patients aged between 20-60 years who had a metatarsal fracture were included to the study. Patients were divided into two groups as CF and PE training, with 6 patients in each group. CP program (hotpack, ultrasound, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, massage, range of motion and strengthening exercises, gait training) was applied to patients 3 days a week for 6 weeks and additionally proprioceptive exercise training program was applied to the PE group. Pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale), joint range of motion (goniometer), balance (Bertec), gait (GaitRite) parameters were evaluated before treatment and after 18 session treatments of the patients. Also 'Foot Function Index' questionnaire was used to evaluate influence in the foot functions and 'Nottingham Health Profile' questionnaire was used to evaluate the quality of life level. After treatment, significant improvements were seen in all parameters except gait parameter in the patients in both groups (p<0.05). Especially in the PE group, more balance sub-parameter were improved. In the comparisons made after the treatment, no significant difference was found in terms of improvements between CF and PE groups (p>0.05). As a conclusion, it was concluded that physiotherapy programs applied after metatarsal fractures would increase the success of the treatment by reducing pain, increasing joint range of movement, balance, foot functions and quality of life and it was thought that physiotherapy and rehabilitation applications which are planned functional, specific for patient and needs should be included in the treatments of these patients.