Evaluation of pain, balance, functional performance and quality of life in patients with meniscus lesions

The study aimed to determine the impact of meniscal tears on pain, balance, functional performance, and quality of life. 35 participants with meniscal tears and 35 healthy people were included in the study. Range of motion (ROM) with goniometer, muscle strength with manual muscle test were measured. To evalmate pain, postural control, fall risk, balance, functional performance, and quality of life; the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), 5 Times Sit to Stand Test (5CCT), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Western Ontario Meniscus Evaluation Tool (WOMET) were used respectively. A significant difference was found between the two groups for knee joint extension movement and muscle strength (p<0.05). Pain intensity was higher the study group than in the control group (p<0.001). BBS score was similar for both groups (p=0.227). TUG, 5COCT, and WOMET scores were higher in the study group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Correlations of VAS scores and scores the other parameters were evaluated in the study and healthy groups. There was a moderate level positive correlation between VAS scores and WOMET scores in the study group (p<0.05). Moderate level correlations were also found between VAS scores and WOMET, while negative relationship with the BBS results in the control group (p<0.05). In our study, it was observed that the pain intensity was higher and the muscle strength level was lower in patients with meniscal tears compared to healthy individuals. Decreased balance, functional performance and quality of life were found to be associated with pain and muscle strength in the study group. The results of this study suggest that meniscal tear has an negative effect on postural stability, balance and functionality. Keywords: Meniscus tear, pain, muscle strenght, balance, quality of life.