Comparison of balance levels of patients with revision and total knee prosthesis: The relationship between the balance level fear of falling, functionality and quality of life of patients

OBJECTIVE It is controversial that the total knee prosthesis (TKP) improves the balance compared to the osteoarthritic period in the literature. And, it is suggested that the balance is getting worse due to recurrent surgeries about revision knee prosthesis (RKP). There are no studies comparing the balance levels of patients with TKP and RKP in the literature. The aim of our study is to compare the balance levels of patients with TKP and RKP and to examine the relationship between balance levels and fear of falling, functionality and quality of life. METHOD Our study was cross-sectional. Fifty-seven knees were included in the study at least 1 year after surgery, 27 of that were RKP and 30 of that were TKP. Knee extension angle at straight leg raising (SLR), Quadriceps Femoris (QF) and Hamstring muscle strength, 2 Minute Walk Test (2MWT), Timed-up and Go Test (TUGT), 30 Second Sit to Stand Test (30SSST), the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) Scale, Lower Extremity Function Scale, SF-12 Quality of Life Questionnaire, Activity Specific Balance Confidence Scale, fall frequency and Biosway balance tests such as Postural Stability Limits of Stability and Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction in Balance were evaluated in this study. RESULTS There was only statistically significant difference terms of 2MWT, TUGT, 30SSST, SF-12 Quality of Life Questionnaire-mental, anteroposterior and overall Stability Index scores between patients with TKP and RKP (p<0.05). Low to moderate correlations were found between the balance parameters and other dependent variables except left QF muscle strength, right/left knee extension angle at SLR and HSS scores. CONCLUSION Both groups were below the normal values calculated in the Biosway balance system in terms of balance parameters. The balance levels of the RDP group were worse, the fear of falling and the frequency of falls were higher. Therefore, we think that the results of our study should be taken into consideration in terms of balance education when creating a rehabilitation program for patients with arthroplasty. Key words : Total Knee Arthroplasty, Revision Knee Arthroplasty, Balance, Fear of falling Functionality, Quality of Life.