Overview
This randomized-controlled trial aims to investigate the effect of NMES as an add-on to an exercise program in patients with degenerative meniscus tears.
Description
To investigate the efficacy of NMES as an add-on to an exercise program, voluntary patients with degenerative meniscus tears, aged between 40 and 65 years, will be randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 (NMES with Exercise) and Group 2 (Exercise). Interventions will be applied for 16 sessions (twice a week for 8 weeks). The patients will be assessed at baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention. The pain during activity, at rest, and at night will be assessed with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Active range of motion will be assessed with a digital goniometer. Isometric muscle strength will be measured with a handheld dynamometer. The functional status and symptoms will be evaluated by the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale. Health-related quality of life will be assessed with the Short Form-12 (SF-12).
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Being aged between 40 and 65 years
- Having the degenerative meniscus tear in at least one knee
- Having body mass index in the range of 18-30 kg/m2
- Feeling the pain that lasts for at least 2 months
- Having grade 1 or grade 2 degenerative meniscal tear diagnosed by an orthopedic specialist according to the MRI results
- Having the ability to read and write Turkish
Exclusion Criteria:
- Having undergone arthroscopic partial meniscectomy surgery due to degenerative meniscal tear
- Participating in a physiotherapy program for degenerative meniscal tear in the last 12 weeks
- Have received steroid injections in the last 6 months
- Accompanying conditions such as injury to the surrounding ligaments, congenital anomaly in the affected knee, coxarthrosis and spinal stenosis
- Presence of any systemic disorder that may affect assessment parameters
- Failure to cooperate with assessments