Association between lower extremity function and standing balance among obese older adult population with osteoarthritis of the knee joint residing in the community: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disorder among older adults and is a major cause of pain, reduced mobility, and functional disability. Obesity further accelerates disease progression by increasing mechanical stress on the knee joint and adversely affecting neuromuscular control. Impairments in lower extremity function and standing balance increase the risk of falls and limit independence in community-dwelling older adults. However, limited evidence exists regarding the relationship between lower extremity function and standing balance in obese older adults with knee OA residing in the community. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study ( n = 50) was conducted among obese older adults diagnosed with OA of the knee joint and living in the community. The purposive sampling technique was employed to select the participants. Demographic data, including age, sex, body mass index, and involved knee, were recorded. Lower extremity function was assessed using the lower extremity functional scale, which was translated into the Marathi language and cross-culturally validated before its administration in this study. Standing balance was evaluated using a performance-based community balance and mobility scale. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, and Pearson correlation analysis determined the association between lower extremity function and standing balance across obesity classes and age groups. Results: The findings showed reduced lower extremity function and impaired standing balance among obese older adults with knee OA. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between lower extremity function scores and standing balance scores in both categories of obesity, i.e., in obese class I (r = 0.57; p = 0.0032) and obese class II (r = 0.61; p = 0.0011), indicating that individuals with higher functional capacity were associated with higher balance scores. This association was evident across different obesity classes and age groups, although variations in mean scores were observed. The results suggest that a decline in lower extremity function is accompanied by a reduction in standing balance. Conclusion: The study demonstrates a significant association between lower extremity function and standing balance in obese older adults with knee OA residing in the community. The association was stronger in higher obesity classes and older age groups, suggesting that these variables may be useful for clinical assessment. These findings suggest that functional ability and balance are clinically relevant variables for future research and rehabilitation planning.