Determination of balance, functional level and fall risk of patients with knee osteoarthritis before and after total knee arthroplasty

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine balance, functional level and fall risks of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) before and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to examine their relationship. Method: 49 patients who underwent primary unilateral TKA were included in the study. Severity of pain (Visual Analogue Scale), balance (Brief Balance Evaluation-Systems Test), risk of falling (Time-Up and Go Test, Time Up and Go Dual Task Tests, The Fall Risk for Older People in the Community questionnaire), functional level (Hospital for Special Surgery Scale), fear of falling (Falls Efficacy Scale International), quality of life (Short Form-12), walking speed (10 m Walk Test), agility (Step Test) of patients were evaluated. Bilateral lower limb joint range of motion and muscle strength measurements were performed. All measurements and assessments were made before TKA and in the third month after TKA. Results: There were statistically significant difference found between before and after TKA patients' severity of pain, balance, risk of falling, functional level, fear of falling, quality of life, walking speed and agility (p˂0.001). No statistically significant difference was found between before and after TKA fall rates and injury states reported by patients (p>0,05). Relationships were found between balance and risk of falling, agility, walking speed before and after TKA, balance and quality of life before TKA, balance and fear of falling after TKA. Relationships were found between functional level and severity of pain, fear of falling before and after TKA, functional level and risk of falling, agility, walking speed, quality of life after TKA. Relationships were found between risk of falling and balance, fear of falling, agility, walking speed, quality of life before and after TKA, risk of falling and functional level after TKA. Conclusion: While balance, functional level, quality of life, agility and walking speed of patients with knee OA were increasing, risk of falling, fear of falling and severity of pain were decreased after TKA. Because of the relationship between risk of falling and balance, functional level, walking speed, agility, quality of life, fear of falling in this patient group, we think that it is important for these parameters to be included in patients' assessments and rehabilitation programs to prevent falls and injuries, to reduce hospitalizations and to increase the quality of life. Keywords: Knee osteoarthritis, total knee arthroplasty, balance, fall, functional level