Evaluación de la condición física y el riesgo de caídas en adultos mayores con artrosis de rodilla en el Centro de Rehabilitación “Fisiocare” en el cantón Samborondón, periodo de mayo a septiembre del 2023.

Abstract

Knee arthrosis is a disease characterized by joint degeneration and this diagnosis is most often established in older adults. Objective: To determine the physical condition and risk of falls of older adults with knee osteoarthritis from the "Fisiocare" center during the period from May to September 2023. Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted, in which 89 older adults were included. Physical condition was evaluated, with indicators being the range of motion, muscle strength and flexibility of the hamstrings. The instruments used were the goniometer, the Daniels test and the chair sit and reach test. In addition, the risk of falling was evaluated with the Tinetti test. Results: There was a higher prevalence of osteoarthritis in the right knee (40.45%). The bending range was greater than 140° and the extension range was complete in more than 80% in all cases. Quadricipital muscle strength presented more than 4 points overall and hamstring muscle strength of the right knee was the only one that showed significant differences (p<0.05) between men and women. Flexibility of the hamstrings was incomplete (-0cm) in more than 50% of cases. The risk of moderate and high fall totaled a total average of 47.19%. Conclusion: The older adults included in the study presented physical condition alterations mainly in flexibility and hamstring muscle strength. The risk of falling in the most relevant categories was slightly less than 50%.