Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Physiotherapy, New Delhi.
This study compared the dynamic balance and mobility in Knee Osteoarthritis patients and their healthy counter-parts using simple clinical tests.
40 female subjects in the age group of 40-70yrs were divided into two groups: Group A (n=20) which included bilateral knee OA patients and Group B (n= 20) which included healthy asymptomatic subjects. Dynamic Balance and mobility was measured using Step up test and Timed up and go test respectively.
There was a statistically significant difference in Step Up Test scores (p < 0.01) and TUG scores (p < 0.01) between Group A & Group B. This indicates that subjects with OA took fewer steps in the 15s test period during Step Up Test, indicating poorer balance under dynamic testing condition. Also, they had significant lesser mobility as compared to their healthy counterparts.
Patients with knee Osteoarthritis have poorer dynamic balance and mobility as compared to their healthy counterparts. Additional research is needed to determine the functional impact of such deficits in knee OA patients.
