Impact on Quality of Life of Patients With Different Knee Pathology and Duration of Rehabilitation

PURPOSE: Many knee pathologies negatively affects the quality of life of patients. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between type of pathology, duration of rehabilitation and quality of life. METHOD: 154 (mean age, 34.74 ± 11.8 years, 73 women) patients with meniscectomy, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, and patellofemoral pain syndrome treated conservatively were included in the study. The mean follow-up was 14.5 (range, 8-20) months. The patients were divided into 3 groups; meniscectomy group (Group 1; 52 patients; mean age, 37.0 ± 8.9, 27 women), anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction group (Group 2; 47 patients; mean age, 28.6 ± 8.5 years, 11 women) and patellofemoral pain syndrome group (Group 3; 50 patients; mean age, 37.7 ± 13.6, 35 women). Short Form (SF-36) was used to assess the quality of life. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis with the SPSS 20 software. p <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Group 2 was found significantly younger (p=0.001). The SF-36 subscales exept physical role and mental health were different among groups (Table 1). When this difference was analysed, social, physical and mental health were found to be better in Group 2. CONCLUSION: Quality of life and function of the patients appears to be significantly better in the anterior cruciate ligament group. Anterior cruciate ligament injury usually affects the younger population and they have higher motivation for treatment. In addition, we believe that patients takes longer rehabilitation program has better qality of life.