Effect of medial meniscus tear and partial meniscectomy on balancing capacity in response to sudden unidirectional perturbation.
Medial meniscus tears and medial partial meniscectomies can damage or remove mechanoreceptors in the meniscus; this inevitably affects knee joint proprioception. Few studies have addressed this subject and none has examined balance in response to sudden perturbation, which requires complex coordination. This study investigated changes in balance in response to sudden unidirectional perturbations after a medial meniscus tear and medial partial meniscectomy in the 3rd and 12th postoperative months. We compared balancing capacity after sudden unidirectional (horizontal) perturbation in 20 control subjects and 20 patients with a medial meniscus tear. Patients were re-examined 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Balancing ability after unidirectional perturbation was assessed by the Lehr's damping ratio in provocation tests. Meniscus tear significantly reduced the Lehr's damping ratio while standing on the affected leg (p=0.0001) and impaired the posture while standing on both legs (p=0.0007). After partial medial meniscectomy, the Lehr's damping ratio was only significantly reduced while standing on the affected side compared to controls (p<0.01). The results indicated that meniscus tears reduced patients' ability to respond to unidirectional perturbation and adapt to environmental changes. Even 1 year postoperatively, balance after sudden unidirectional perturbation on the affected side was weaker than that of controls.
Pain Ambulance, Villanyi 22/a, 1113 Budapest, Hungary. info@fajdalomabulancia.hu
Mátyás O
MO
Magyar
Zsolt
Z
Knoll
Rita M
RM
Kiss
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004856:Postural Balance; D011187:Posture; D012421:Rupture / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries