EFFECT OF KNEE HYPEREXTENSION ON FEMORAL CARTILAGE THICKNESS IN STROKE PATIENTS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective Knee hyperextension is one of the most common compensatory mechanisms in stroke patients.The first aim of the study was to measure knee hyperextension and femoral cartilage thickness in stroke patients. The second aim was to compare the femoral cartilage thickness of the paretic and nonparetic extremities in stroke patients with and without knee hyperextension. Design Forty stroke patients were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of knee hyperextension based on kinematic analyses performed during walking with a 3D motion analysis system. The medial femoral cartilage (MFC), lateral femoral cartilage (LFC), and intercondylar (ICA) cartilage thicknesses of the paretic and nonparetic sides of the patients were measured by ultrasonography. Results In the study group, MFC, ICA, and LFC thicknesses were less on the paretic side than on the nonparetic side, while the femoral cartilage thicknesses on the paretic and nonparetic sides were similar in the control group. Paretic side MFC and ICA thicknesses were less in the study group compared to the control group, and LFC thickness was similar between the two groups. Conclusion Knee hyperextension during walking causes femoral cartilage degeneration in stroke patients. Clinical Trial code: NCT05513157