| dc.description.abstract | Osteoarthritis, which is one of the common joint diseases seen in women, especially after
the age of 40, is a chronic disease characterized by progressive cartilage degeneration,
subchondral sclerosis, osteophyte formation, and changes in the articular capsule in
weight-bearing joints. With the increasing elderly population today, the prevalence of
osteoarthritis is rising, with the knee joint being the most commonly affected site. The aim
of this prospective study is to examine the relationship between anthropometric
measurements and Q angle with balance and fall risk in non-obese patients diagnosed with
knee osteoarthritis. Female patients aged 40 - 65, who were non-obese and diagnosed with
knee osteoarthritis according to ACR criteria and classified as stage 2 - 3 based on the KL
radiological classification, were included in the study. These patients, presenting to the
outpatient clinics at the Kırşehir Training and Research Hospital's Physical Therapy and
Rehabilitation Clinic with complaints of knee pain, voluntarily participated in the study. A
total of 86 female patients who met the inclusion criteria and participated in all assessment
parameters were enrolled. In the study, grip strength of the dominant hand was measured
using an electronic hand dynamometer, and bilateral Q angle was measured using a plastic
goniometer. Bilateral lower extremity length, thigh, leg, and foot length were measured
using a non-elastic medical tape measure. Waist and hip circumference, bilateral thigh, leg,
and ankle circumference were also measured using a non-elastic medical tape measure.
Bilateral triceps, thigh, and leg skinfold thickness were measured using a special caliper
called a Holtain skinfold. Bi-iliac, femoral bicondylar, and foot widths were measured
using the Harpenden Anthropometric Set. Static and dynamic balance, as well as fall risk,
were measured using the Biodex Balance System device. Statistical analysis of the study
results was conducted using the SPSS 29.0 package program, and relationships between
variables were examined using Spearman Correlation Analysis based on the normality
assumption test. The study results showed that increases in anthropometric factors related
to the lower extremities, such as foot length, waist and hip circumference, waist-to-hip
ratio, leg and ankle circumference, bi-iliac, femoral bicondylar, and foot width, were
associated with better static balance and a reduced risk of falls. We believe that these
anthropometric characteristics should be considered in the assessment of balance and fall
risk in non-obese female patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis in clinical settings. | en_US |
