Evaluating the relation between knee effusion and balance parameters

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to measure balance parameters in patients with knee effusion and after the treatment of effusion comparing with healthy subjects. Materials and methods: Forty-five patients between 12-60 months age, with knee effusion and their sex and age matched 46 healty controls are recruited into the study. All of the participant's height and weight were measured, body mass index were calculated, sociodemographic information and cause of effusion were recorded. All of the patients were questioned for the visual analog scale at the rest and movement. WOMAC scores were measured in patienst with osteoarthritis. Range of motion of the knee and quadriceps muscle strength were measured for both groups.Time up to go test and Berg balance scale was performed in patients with effusion. In healthy group we only practiced Berg balance scale. All participants' balance parameters were calculated with fall risk assessment device (FRAD) and force platform device.We found that the effusion of 30 patients was regressed. We repeated balance measurements in these 30 patients. Results: In the patient group 34 (%75,6) were female, 11 (%24,4) were male.In control group 34 (%73,9) were female, 12 (%26,1) were male. Of the patients, 24 (53.3%) had degenerative origin of effusion, while 21 (46.7%) had a rheumatologic origin. There was no significant difference in age, weight, height, BMI between the two groups. Patient and healthy group comparisons showed significant decrease in Berg balance score, significant elevation in weight distribution index and significant increase in AP oscillation on pressure platform device in patient group. After the effusion was restored in the patient group, the F5-6 interval of the Fourier transform was significantly increased in the falling risk score. Degenerative effusion showed more deterioration in the somatosensory system and more impaired postural performance. Conclusion: Knee effusion leads to impairment in balance parameters but not in static postural performance probably due to, various compensatory mechanisms such as, increased somatosensory stimuli. However, impairment in dinamic balance parameters in presence of effusion suggests that dynamic balance measurement methods should be used more widely in future studies. Keywords: Knee effusion, Balance, Proprioception