We assessed proprioception using threshold levels for the perception of knee movement at slow angular velocities (0.1°/s to 0.85°/s) in 20 patients with unilateral tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and 15 age-related control subjects. Failure to detect movement was also analysed. The threshold levels of detection did not differ between the damaged and undamaged knees in the patients or between the patients and the control group. Failure to appreciate movement, however, was significantly greater in knees with ACL loss compared with the undamaged knees of patients and the control group. Our findings show a proprioceptive deficit in the absence of the ACL. Measurements of threshold levels of detection of passive movement alone are not suitable for the evaluation of proprioceptive loss in ACL deficiency; assessment of failure to appreciate movement is essential.
Loss of proprioception following an anterior
cruciate ligament (ACL) injury has been well documented. We evaluated
proprioception in both the injured and the uninjured limb in 25 patients
with ACL injury and in 25 healthy controls, as assessed by joint
position sense (JPS), the threshold for the detection of passive
movement (TDPM) and postural sway during single-limb stance on a
force plate. There were significant proprioceptive deficits in both ACL-deficient
and uninjured knees compared with control knees, as assessed by
the angle reproduction test (on JPS) and postural sway on single
limb stance. The degree of loss of proprioception in the ACL-deficient
knee and the unaffected contralateral knee joint in the same patient
was similar. The TDPM in the injured knee was significantly higher
than that of controls at 30° and 70° of flexion. The TDPM of the
contralateral knee joint was not significantly different from that
in controls. Based on these findings, the effect of proprioceptive training
of the contralateral uninjured knee should be explored. Cite this article:
