The effect of the Q-angle on balance and lower extremity function in hemiplejic patients

Q angle is a parameter used to reveal the biomechanical function of the lower extremity, the effect of the quadriceps femoris muscle on the knee, and to assist in the diagnosis of many knee-related diseases and to evaluate the results of their treatment. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Q angle on balance and lower extremity functionality in hemiplegic patients with a history of stroke, as well as the question of whether the effects of Q angle are the same in hemiplegic patients with dominant lower extremity affected and non-dominant lower extremity affected hemiplegic patients. A total of 35 hemiplegic patients, 19 men and 16 women, were included in the study. A socio-demographic questionnaire, Modified Ashworth Scale, Tinetti Balance and Gait Test, Berg Functional Balance Scale and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) were administered to each participant included in the thesis. The patients were divided into groups according to their Q angle values and their involvement sites. As a result of the statistical analysis, the mean Q angle values of male patients were calculated as 11.68±1.49, and the mean Q angle values of female patients were calculated as 14.12±2.39. A significant difference was found between the berg balance scores of the patients whose Q angle values were in the normal range and those that were not in the normal range (p<0.05). A significant difference was found between the LEFS scores of the patients whose Q angle values were in the normal range and those that were not in the normal range (p<0.05). A correlation was found between Q angle and balance and lower extremity functionality in hemiplegic patients. It was observed that balance and functionality scores were significantly lower in cases where the Q angle value was not within the normal range and the dominant lower extremity was affected. Looking at the data obtained, it was concluded that it is important to evaluate the Q angle in terms of balance and functionality in anatomical, clinical and biomechanical studies on the lower extremity in hemiplegic patients.