Evaluation Of Pain, Balance, Functional Performance and Quality of Life in Patients With Meniscus Lesions

Meniscal tears are common knee injuries, affecting a wide demographic from young athletes to the elderly population, often resulting from traumatic sports-related incidents or degenerative processes associated with aging. The impact of meniscal injuries extends beyond the immediate physical damage, influencing pain perception, balance, functional performance, and ultimately, the quality of life. Despite advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, the comprehensive effects of meniscal tears on these domains remain inadequately explored, particularly regarding their correlation with objective measures of pain, balance, muscle strength and quality of life. The meniscus plays a crucial role in knee joint stability, load distribution, and shock absorption. Damage to this fibrocartilaginous structure can significantly impair knee function, leading to altered biomechanics, decreased joint stability, and increased risk of osteoarthritis. Previous research has predominantly focused on the surgical and non-surgical management of meniscal tears, with less attention to the broader implications on patients\' daily lives, particularly in terms of postural stability, risk of falls, and overall physical well-being. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by quantitatively assessing the risk of meniscal tears on pain levels, balance, functional performance, and quality of life. By comparing objective measurements between individuals with meniscal tears and healthy controls, the investigators seek to elucidate the multifaceted impact of these injuries. Understanding these relationships is crucial for developing targeted rehabilitation strategies that address not only the mechanical aspects of the injury but also the associated functional and quality of life concerns. Our hypothesis was that individuals with meniscal lesions have worse pain, functional performance and quality of life compared to those without such injuries and also pain directly influences balance, functional performance, and quality of life in patients with meniscal injuries.