Investigation of postural deformities in individuals with neuromuscular disease and its relationship with disease severity, muscle strength, functional capacity and balance

This study was planned to examine the spine and foot posture disorders in neuromuscular diseases (NMD) in detail and to investigate the relationship with muscle strength, disease severity, functional capacity and balance impairment.47 adult patients with a mean age of 36.13 ± 14.25 and diagnosed with NMD were included in the study. The general body posture of the individuals was evaluated with the New York Posture Rating Scale (NYPR), kyphosis and lordosis angle with the Flexible Ruler, scoliosis and spinal asymmetry with the Scoliometer, and foot deformities and foot posture with the Foot Posture Index. In addition, in order to determine the relationship between posture disorders; muscle strength (Manual Muscle Test, Dynamometer), disease severity (Upper / Lower Extremity Function Index), functional capacity (2 Minute Walking Test), balance disorder (Functional Reaching Test, Timed Up & Go Test) and daily living activities (Functional Independence Measure) was evaluated. As a result of the measurements made by scoliometer, it was found that 30 patients (%73.2) had possible scoliosis, 11 patients (%26.8) had spinal asymmetry and 27 patients (%65.9) had pelvic asymmetry. As a result of the evaluation of the foot posture, it was noted that 3 patients had drop foot (%6.4), 35 patients (%89.74) pes planus, 2 patients (%5.12) pes cavus, 6 patients (%12) had hallux valgus deformity. It was found that the NYPR scale was associated with upper extremity disease severity, functional capacity, activity of daily living and impaired balance (p <0.05). A correlation was found between the presence of scoliosis and pelvic asymmetry and the increase in thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis angles and imbalance (p <0.05). In addition, patients with pelvic asymmetry were found to have higher balance and fall risks than those without (p <0.05). The findings obtained from our study showed that, due to the frequent occurrence of posture deformities in NMD and its relationship with other findings of the disease, it is important to monitor carefully and keep it under control with appropriate physiotherapy interventions for the independence of patients in daily life.