FACTORS AFFECTING FUNCTIONAL STATUS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS AND LUMBAR DEGENERATIVE DISEASE

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the interaction between functional impairment due to lumbar degenerative disease and knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in individuals presenting with concurrent low back and knee pain.We evaluated the relationship between the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) and the oswestry disability index (ODI).Materials and Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 114 patients experiencing both chronic low back and knee pain.Functional status was assessed using KOOS and ODI scores obtained from hospital records.Radiographic evaluations included sagittal vertical axis, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, spinopelvic parameters, spinal canal measurements, and Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grading for KOA severity.Spearman correlation and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze associations.Results: The mean age was 62.510.1 years, and 86% of the patients were female.KOOS and ODI scores showed a moderate negative correlation (r=-0.61).KOOS was identified as an independent predictor of disability (=-0.0614,p<0.001).No significant relationship was found between ODI and age, body mass index, or K-L grade.Among spinopelvic parameters, sacral slope (SS) showed a significant negative correlation with ODI (r=-0.23,p<0.05).Additionally, the presence of scoliosis was associated with higher ODI scores (p<0.05), while spondylolisthesis was associated with lower KOOS scores (p<0.05).Conclusion: KOOS scores are significantly associated with back-related disability in individuals with coexisting KOA and lumbar spine degeneration.Structural variations such as SS and scoliosis may also influence functional outcomes.Lower KOOS may indicate greater disability in patients with concurrent knee and back pain, emphasizing the need to prioritize knee-related symptoms in management.