The Relationship Between Lower Limb Functionality, Foot Joint Position Sensation and Balance in Haemiplegic Patients

Stroke is defined as a neurological disorder resulting from acute focal damage to the central nervous system caused by vascular factors, which may include cerebral infarction, intracerebral haemorrhage and subarachnoid haemorrhage. Postural balance is a critical factor affecting walking and gait performance in the community after stroke. Gait disorders contribute significantly to functional disability in individuals after stroke. These impairments encompass a variety of changes, including muscle weakness in the affected lower limb, resulting in reduced weight bearing on that limb. This results in a slower and less safe gait. Given the impact on gait, functional mobility is also compromised, including daily activities such as sitting, standing, walking, turning and climbing or descending stairs. Proprioception is impaired in a large percentage of individuals following stroke. The presence of proprioception deficits has been identified as an important determinant of unfavourable functional outcomes after stroke, especially in terms of achieving independence in basic activities of daily living and length of hospital stay. In the literature, there are no studies investigating the relationship between ankle position sense and lower extremity functionality with balance and falls using Humac Norm Isokinetic Machine and Tecno Body Prokin Isokinetic Balance System simultaneously.